aim 
Cljeatre 


PAUL   LEICESTER    FORD 


of 


,  1899 


8. 


,??.  J. 


/ 


This  is  one  of  an  edition  of  two  hundred  and  sixty- 
five  copies  printed  from  type  for  the  Dunlap  Society 
in  the  month  of  January,  1899. 


WASHINGTON  AND  THE  THEATRE 


THE 


CONTRAST, 

A 

COMEDY; 

IN    FIVE    AC  TS: 

WRITTEN  BY  A 

CITIZEN  or  THE  UNITED  STATES; 


Performed  with  Applaufe  at  the  Theatres  in  NEW-  YORK. 
PHILADELPHIA,  and  MARYLAND; 


AND  PUBLISHED  (lotJtr  an  AJfignmtnt  oftbt  Copy.RlgbtJ  BY 

THOMAS    WIGNELL. 


Primus  ego  in  patriam 
Aonio-— -deduxi  vertice  Mufas. 

VlRClt. 

( Imitate  J.) 

Firft  on  our  fhores  I  try  THALIA'S  powers, 
And  bid  the  laughing,  ufeful  Maid  be  ours. 


PHILADELPHIA: 

FROM    THt    fRESJ   OF   PRICH/JRD  £f  HALL,   IN    MARK1T    STRUT, 

BETWCEM    StCOND    AND    FRONT    STREXTS. 

M.  OCC.  .\C. 

Washington's  own  copy  of  Tyler's  "Contrast." 
Original  in  possession  of  Mr.  S.  P.  Avery. 


WASHINGTON  AND 
THE  THEATRE 


BY 

PAUL  LEICESTER  FORD 


NEW-YORK 

THE  DUNLAP  SOCIETY 

1899 


Copyright,  1899,  by 
PAUL  LEICESTER  FORD 


•n 


TO  MY  FRIEND 

RICHARD  MANSFIELD,  ESGL 

IN   RECOGNITION   OF  HIS  SERVICES 
TO  THE  DRAMA 

I  DEDICATE  THIS  MONOGRAPH 


M883443 


Washington  an* 
Cf)e  theatre. 


IT  is  interesting  to  note,  in  running  through  the  let 
ters  of  Washington  written  during  the  dark  hours 
of  the  Revolutionary  struggle,  that  the  only  quotation 
which  appealed  sufficiently  to  the  general  to  lead  him 
to  repeat  it,  was  the  line,  "  'T  is  not  in  mortals  to  com 
mand  success" — words  peculiarly  fitted  to  express  his 
mistrust  of  his  own  ability.  Many  years  after,  when 
the  military  difficulties  of  the  command  of  the  Conti 
nental  army  had  been  succeeded  by  the  political  per 
plexities  forced  upon  him  by  the  Presidency  of  his 
country,  to  express  his  longing  for  retirement  he  used 
another  quotation  by  writing,  "  The  post  of  honor  is  a 
private  station."  Of  the  thousands  of  letters  written 
by  the  great  patriot  but  few  give  evidence  of  literary 
cultivation;  and  in  his  library  there  was  no  copy  of 
the  work  in  which  these  two  lines  appeared.  For  his 
knowledge  of  them,  therefore,  some  other  source  than 
reading  seems  probable,  nor  is  it  necessary  to  seek  far 
to  find  it.  The  two  excerpts  are  from  Addison's 
"  Cato,"  the  most  popular  play  in  America  during  a 


anb 


large  part  of  Washington's  life,  and  from  his  youth 
the  theatre  was  one  of  his  favorite  pleasures. 

In  this  fondness  for  the  dram,a,  Washington  was  but 
the  true  Virginian  of  his  time.  That  there  was  play 
acting  in  New  York,  and  in  Charleston,  South  Caro 
lina,  before  1702,  are  unquestioned  facts,  giving  to 
these  two  places,  so  far  as  can  be  discovered,  priority 
of  claim  in  the  first  patronage  of  the  mimic  art.  But 
nowhere  in  America  during  the  Colonial  period  did 
the  dramatic  muse  receive  a  kindlier  or  more  enthusi 
astic  support  than  in  the  Old  Dominion  ;  indeed,  the 
Rev.  Samuel  Davies  arraigned  the  colony  in  1755, 
on  the  ground  that  "  Plays  and  Romances  "  were 
"more  read  than  the  History  of  the  blessed  Jesus";  l 
and  no  doubt  had  there  been  play-acting  at  the  time, 
he  would  also  have  been  able  to  charge  the  Virginian 
of  his  day  with  a  stronger  preference  for  the  play 
house  than  for  the  house  of  God. 

It  is  impossible  to  say  when  Thalia  and  Melpo 
mene  first  set  foot  on  Virginian  soil,  the  earliest  refer 
ence  extant  concerning  these  muses  being  in  1718, 
when  Governor  Spotswood,  "  In  Order  to  the  Solem 
nizing  his  Maj'ty's  Birthday,"  gave  "  a  publick  Enter 
tainment,"  to  which  "  all  Gent'n  that  would  come 
were  Admitted,"  2  and  furthermore  marked  the  festal 
day  by  a  "  Play  w'ch  was  Acted  on  that  occasion  "  — 
a  production  presumably  of  the  college  boys  of  William 
and  Mary.  Hugh  Jones,  in  his  "  Present  State  of 

1  "  Religion  and  Patriotism  the  Constitution  of  a  Good  Soldier," 
p.  29. 

2  "  Spotswood  Letters,"  n,  284. 


anb  €fjc  Cfjcatre, 


Virginia,"  published  at  London  in  1724,  describing 
Williamsburg,  notes  that  not  far  from  the  Magazine 
and  the  Jamestown  Court  House  "  is  a  large  area  for 
the  Market  Place,  near  which  is  a  Play  House  and 
good  bowling  green  "  ;  and  this  probably  was  still 
standing  and  in  use  twelve  years  later,  for  the  "  Virginia 
Gazette"  of  September  10,  1736,  advertised  that: 

This  Evening  will  be  performed  at  the  Theatre,  by 
the  young  gentlemen  of  the  College,  The  Tragedy  of 
"CATO,"  And,  on  Monday,  Wednesday,  and  Friday 
next,  will  be  acted  the  following  Comedies,  by  the  gen 
tlemen  and  ladies  of  this  Country,  viz.  :  The  Busy-Body, 
The  Recruiting-Officer,  and  the  Beaux-Stratagem. 

In  1751,  however,  the  greatest  advance  was  made; 
for  by  Acting  Governor  Richard  Lee's  permission 
"  the  New  York  company  of  comedians  were  permitted 
to  build  a  theatre  in  Williamsburg,  and  a  taste  for  the 
elegancies  as  well  as  the  more  erudite  parts  of  litera 
ture  shone  out  beneath  the  patronage  and  example 
of  the  president."1  The  original  prospectus  for  the 
building  of  this  theatre  reads  : 

By  Permission  of  His  Hono^tr  the  President. 

Whereas  the  Company  of  COMEDIANS  that  are  in  New 
York  intend  performing  in  this  City  ;  but  there  being  no 
Room  suitable  for  a  PLAY  HOUSE,  'tis  propos'd  that  a 
Theatre  shall  be  built  by  Way  of  Subscription  :  Each 
Subscriber,  advancing  a  Pistole,  to  be  entitled  to  a  Box 
Ticket,  for  the  first  Nights  Diversion. 

IBurke's  "  History  of  Virginia,"  in,  140. 


i©agl)ington  anb  Cije  Cljeatre, 


Those  Gentlemen  and  Ladies  who  are  kind  enough  to 
favour  this  Undertaking,  are  desired  to  send  their  Sub 
scription  Money  to  Mr.  Finni^s,  at  the  Raleigh,  where 
Tickets  may  be  had. 

N.  B.     The  House  to  be  completed  by  October  Court.i 

In  spite  of  the  favoring  smile  and  permission  of 
officialdom,  the  Thespian  path  was  not  an  altogether 
easy  one,  an  "  Advertisement "  presently  notifying  the 
patrons  that : 

The  Company  of  COMEDIANS  having  been  at  a  greater 
Expence  than  they  at  first  expected  in  erecting  a  THEATRE 
in  the  City  of  Williamsburg,  and  having  an  immediate 
Occasion  for  the  Money  expended  in  that  Particular,  in 
Order  to  procure  proper  Scenes  and  Dresses,  humbly  hope 
that  those  Gentlemen  who  are  Lovers  of  theatrical  Per 
formances,  will  be  kind  enough  to  assist  them,  by  Way  of 
Subscription,  for  the  Payment  of  the  House  and  Lots,  each 
Subscriber  to  have  a  Property-  therein,  in  Proportion  to 
the  Sum  subscribed.  As  the  Money  is  immediately 
wanted,  we  hope  the  Gentlemen  will  be  kind  enough  to 
pay  it  as  they  subscribe,  into  the  Hands  of  Messrs.  Mitch- 
elson  and  Hyndman,  who  have  obliged  us  so  far  as  to 
receive  the  same,  and  to  whom  Deeds  will  be  delivered, 
on  the  Subscription  being  compleated,  for  the  Purpose 
above-mentioned.  Which  shall  be  gratefully  acknow 
ledged,  by 

Their  most  obliged  humble  Servants 

Charles  Somerset  Woodham, 

Walter  Murray, 

Thomas  Kean.2 

1 "  Virginia  Gazette,"  August  29,  1751. 
2  "  Virginia  Gazette,"  October  24,  1751. 


anb 


Meantime,  however,  the  first  play  had  been  given, 
which  the  "Virginia  Gazette"  on  October  17  adver 
tised  as  follows  : 

By  Permission  of  His  Honour  the  PRESIDENT, 

At  the  NEW  THEATRE  in  Williamsburg, 

On  Monday  the  2ist  Instant,  will  be  presented  a  Tragedy, 

called 

KING   RICHARD   THE   THIRD: 

To  which  will  be  added,  a  Grand  Tragic  Dance,  compos'd 

by  Monsieur  Denoier,  called 

THE   ROYAL   CAPTIVE. 

After  a  Turkish  Manner,  as  perform'd  at  His  Majesty's 
Opera  House,  in  the  Hay  Market. 

Boxes  75.  6d.     Pit  55.  9d.     Gallery  35.  96. 
No  Person  to  be  admitted  behind  the  Scenes. 

So  far  as  can  be  learned,  it  was  not  in  Virginia  that 
Washington  saw  his  first  dramatic  performance.  He  was 
but  four  years  of  age  when  "  Cato  "  was  played  in  1736, 
and  if  there  were  plays  acted  in  Virginia  between  that 
date  and  1751,  the  school-boy  was  not  likely  to  have 
witnessed  them,  much  less  the  hard-working  and  lean 
of  purse  young  surveyor,  who  spent  so  much  of  his  time 
"amongst  a  parcel  of  barbarians"  in  the  frontier 
counties,  measuring  off  farms.  Nor  was  he  fortunate 
enough  to  witness  the  first  professional  performance  in 
Virginia;  for  on  October  17,  1751,  the  night  when  the 
Comedians  were  delighting  the  elite  of  Williamsburg, 
Washington  was  on  board  a  small  schooner  already 
3 


6        f©a$)tngton  anb  Clje  Cljcatre* 

half-way  between  the  capes  of  the  Chesapeake  and 
the  island  of  Barbadoes  in  the  West  Indies.  In  place, 
therefore,  of  listening  to  "  Richard  the  Third,"  he  was 
enduring  "  a  disturb'd  and  large  Sea,  which  eminently 
endang'd  our  masts  roling  away,"  which  presently  in 
creased  to  such  violence  that  "the  Seamen  seem'd 
disheartned  confessing  they  had  never  seen  such 
weather  before,"  so  that  the  final  quieting  of  the  sea, 
and  setting  in  of  the  trade  wind,  "  after  near  five  Weeks 
buffiting  &  being  toss'd  by  a  fickle  &  Merciless  ocean," 
was  hailed  by  the  youthful  voyager  as  "glad'ening 
knews."1 

But  if  this  trip  deprived  the  young  fellow  of  nineteen 
of  his  opportunity  of  being  present  at  the  "  first  night " 
in  Virginia,  it  nevertheless  gave  him  his  earliest  ex 
perience  in  the  theatre.  The  voyage  had  been  made 
as  the  traveling  companion  of  his  elder  brother,  Law 
rence,  stricken  with  consumption  and  seeking  health, 
and  a  landing  was  made  at  Bridgetown,  the  capital 
of  the  island,  November  3.  On  the  day  of  their  ar 
rival  they  evidently  made  the  acquaintance  of  a  Mr. 
Carter,  for  the  following  day  the  younger  of  the  bro 
thers  notes  that  "  we  were  again  invited  to  Mr.  Car 
ter's  and  desired  to  make  his  house  ours  until  we  could 
provide  lodgings  agreeable  to  our  wishes,  which  offer 
we  accepted,"2  and  through  his  aid  the  brothers 
shortly  secured  an  abiding-spot.  Nor  did  the  Barba 
dian's  service  cease  with  this  double  kindness,  for 
Washington  further  notes  in  his  journal  that  on  Thurs- 

1  Washington,  Barbadoes  Journal,  pp.  29,  30,  37. 

2  Ibid. ,  p.  40. 


Facsimile  of  page  of  Washington's  Barbadoes  Journal. 


HEtagtytngton  anb  €f)e  Cljcatre*        7 

day,  November  15,  he  "Was  treated  with  a  play  ticket 
by  M  Carter  to  see  the  Tragedy  of  George  Barnwell 
acted :  the  character  of  Barnwell  and  several  others 
was  said  to  be  well  perform'd  there  was  Musick  a 
Dapted  and  regularly  conducted  by  M  [blank]."1 
The  piece  thus  seen  was  a  favorite  play  of  the  eight 
eenth  century,  written  by  George  Lillo.  Whether 
it  was  an  amateur  performance  of  the  citizens  or 
garrison,  there  is  nothing  to  show.  If  there  was  a 
regular  theatre  and  dramatic  company  in  the  island, 
the  youth  enjoyed  no  further  pleasure  from  them ;  for 
two  days  after  this  first  experience  he  "  was  strongly 
attacked  with  the  small  Pox,"  2  the  result  of  a  break 
fast  and  dinner  with  a  Major  Clarke,  to  which 
Washington  went,  so  his  journal  states,  "  with  some 
reluctance,"  because  the  contagion  was  in  his  host's 
family.  This  housed  him  for  several  weeks,  and  gave 
him  but  a  few  days  of  health  before  he  set  sail  for  home. 
Washington  reached  Virginia  in  January,  1752,  and 
probably  spent  his  summer  at  Mount  Vernon.  He 
was  now,  however,  one  of  the  four  military  adjutants 
of  the  colony,  and  therefore  had  occasion  to  be  in 
Williamsburg  from  time  to  time.  It  is  quite  possible, 
therefore,  that  he  was  one  of  the  audience  at  the  "  new 
Theatre  in  Williamsburg  "  at  the  second  performance, 
but  the  evidence  seems  rather  against  it,  for  on  May 
20  he  wrote  that  he  "  would  have  been  down  long  be 
fore  this,  but  my  business  in  Frederick  detained  me 
somewhat  longer  than  I  expected,  and  immediately 

1  Barbadoes  Journal,  p.  52. 

2  Ibid.,  p.  53. 


anfc  €l)e  Cljeatre, 


upon  my  return  from  thence  I  was  taken  with  a  violent 
pleurise,  which  has  reduced  me  very  low."  This  per 
formance  is  of  interest  in  another  connection,  and 
from  the  "Virginia  Gazette"  of  April  17  the  original 
advertisement  is  quoted  : 

By  Permission  of  His  Honour  the  GOVERNOR, 

At  the  New  THEATRE,  in  WILLIAMSBURG, 

For  the  Benefit  of  Mrs.  BECCELY, 

On  Friday,  being  the  24th  of  this  Instant 
Will  be  performed,  a  COMEDY,  called  the 

CONSTANT  COUPLE: 

or  a 
TRIP  to  the  JUBILEE. 

The  Part  of  Sir  Harry  Wildair  to  be  performed 

By  Mr.  KEAN 

Colonel  Standard, 

By  Mr.  MURRAY, 

And  the  Part  ^/"Angelica  to  be  performed 
By  Mrs.  BECCELY. 

With  Entertainment  of  SINGING  between  the  Acts  : 

Likewise  a  DANCE,  called  the  DRUNKEN  PEASANT. 

To  which  will  be  added,  a  Farce,  called  the 

LYING  VALET. 

TICKETS  to  be  had  at 
Mrs.  Vobe's,  and  at  Mr.  Mitchel's,  in  York. 


anb 


If  Washington  was  probably  not  present  on  this 
night,  he  was  soon  to  see  the  company.  After  the 
one  performance  an  advertisement  notified  their  pa 
trons  that 

The  Company  of  COMEDIANS,  from  the  new  Theatre  at 
Williamsburg,  propose  playing  at  HobUs-Hole,  from  the 
loth  of  May  to  the  24th  ;  from  thence  they  intend  to  pro 
ceed  to  Fredericksburg,  to  play  during  the  Continuance 
of  June  Fair  ;  and  hope,  That  all  Gentlemen  and  Ladies, 
who  are  Lovers  of  Theatrical  Entertainments,  will  favour 
them  with  their  Company.1 

It  was  in  the  course  of  this  tour  that  the  first  proof 
of  Washington's  seeing  a  play  on  Virginian  soil  is  dis 
coverable;  for  in  his  ledger,  under  June  2,  1752,  is  en 
tered  a  record  of  money  loaned  his  younger  brother, 
Samuel,  —  "By  Cash  at  the  play  House  1/3,"  —  prov 
ing  that  the  two  brothers  were  then  staying  with  their 
mother  at  her  home  near  Fredericksburg,  and  were  at 
the  theatre.  The  indebtedness  was  probably  the  price 
of  a  ticket  of  admission,  and  the  amount  shows  that 
the  youngsters  were  still  content  to  be  boys  and  rank 
themselves  as  "  gallery  gods." 

In  this  same  month  the  "  Virginia  Gazette  "  printed 
a  prospectus  heralding  the  advent  of  another  and  more 
ambitious  venture  : 

This  is  to  inform  the  Public, 

That  Mr.  Hallam,  from  the  NEW  THEATRE  in  Good- 
mansfields,  London,  is  daily  expected  here  with  a  select 
Company  of  Comedians  ;  the  Scenes,  Cloaths  and  Decora- 
1  "  Virginia  Gazette,"  April  30,  1752. 


Cljcatre. 


tions  are  all  entirely  new,  extremely  rich,  and  finished  in 
the  highest  Taste,  the  Scenes  being  painted  by  the  best 
Hands  in  London,  are  excelPd  by  none  in  Beauty  and 
Elegance,  so  that  the  Ladies  and*Gentlemen  may  depend 
on  being  entertain'd  in  as  polite  a  Manner  as  at  the  The 
atres  in  London,  the  Company  being  perfect  in  all  the  best 
Plays,  Opera's,  Farces,  and  Pantomimes,  that  have  been 
exhibited  in  any  of  the  Theatres  for  these  ten  Years  past.1 

In  pursuance  of  this  promise,  the  "  London  Com 
pany  of  Comedians,"  usually  termed  Hallam's  com 
pany,  "  arrived  after  a  very  expensive  and  tiresome 
voyage,  at  York  River,"  on  the  28th  of  June,  1752; 
and  coming  to  Williamsburg,  through  the  medium  of 
the  press  notified  the  Virginia  lovers  of  the  drama 
that 

We  are  desired  to  inform  the  Publick,  That  as  the  Com 
pany  of  Comedians,  lately  from  London,  have  obtain'd 
His  Honour  the  Governor's  Permission,  and  have,  with 
great  Expence,  entirely  altered  the  Play-House  at  Wil 
liamsburg  to  a  regular  Theatre,  fit  for  the  Reception  of 
Ladies  and  Gentlemen,  and  the  Execution  of  their  own 
Performances,  they  intend  to  open  on  the  first  Friday  in 
September  next,  with  a  Play,  call'd  The  Merchant  of 
Venice,  (written  by  Shakspear)  and  a  Farce,  call'd  The 
Anatomist,  or,  Sham  Doctor.  The  Ladies  are  desired  to 
give  timely  Notice  to  Mr.  Hallam,  at  Mr.  Fisher's,  for 
their  Places  in  the  Boxes,  and  on  the  Day  of  Performance 
to  send  their  Servants  early  to  keep  them,  in  Order  to 
prevent  Trouble  and  Disappointment.2 

1  "  Virginia  Gazette,"  June  12,  1752. 

2  "  Virginia  Gazette,"  August  21,  1752. 


anb 


Concerning  this   first  performance  the  "  Virginia 
Gazette  " l  prints  the  following  information  : 

By  PERMISSION  of  the  Honble  ROBERT  DINWIDDIE, 
Esq;  His  Majesty's  Lieutenant-Governor,  and  Com 
mander  in  Chief  of  the  Colony  and  Dominion  of 
Virginia. 

By  a  Company  ^COMEDIANS,  from  LONDON, 

At  the  THEATRE  in  WILLIAMSBURG, 
On  Friday  next,  being  the  I5th  of  September,  will  be 

presented, 
A  PLAY,  Call'd 

THE   MERCHANT    OF   VENICE. 

(Written  by  Shakespear.} 

The  Part  of  ANTONIO  (the  MERCHANT)  to  be  perform'd  by 

Mr.  CLARKSON. 

GRATIANO,  by  Mr.  SINGLETON, 

Lorenzo,  (with  Songs  in  Character)  by  Mr.  ADCOCK. 

The  Part  of  BASSANIO  to  be  perform'd  by 

Mr.  RIGBY. 

Duke,  by  Mr.  Wynell. 

Salanio,  by  Mr.  Herbert. 

The  Part  of  LAUNCELOT,  by  Mr.  HALLAM. 

And  the  Part  of  SHYLOCK,  (the  Jew)  to  be  perform'd  by 

Mr.  MALONE. 
The  Part  of  NERISSA,  by  Mrs.  ADCOCK, 

Jessica,  by  Mrs.  Rigby. 

And  the  Part  of  PORTIA,  to  be  perform'd  by 

Mrs.  HALLAM. 

l  August  28,  1752. 

4 


12 


With  a  new  occasional  PROLOGUE. 
To  which  will  be  added,  a  FARCE,  call'd, 

The   ANATOMIST: 

OR, 
SHAM    DOCTOR. 

The  Part  of  Monsieur  le  Medecin,  by 

Mr.  RlGBY. 
And  the  Part  of  BEATRICE,  by  Mrs.  ADCOCK. 

%*  No  Person,  whatsoever,  to  be  admitted  behind  the 

Scenes. 
BOXES,  75.  6d.     PIT  and  BALCONIES,  55.  gd.     GALLERY, 

3s.  9d- 
To  begin  at  Six  o'Clock. 

Vivat  Rex. 

More  interesting  still  is  the  prologue  spoken  at  this 
performance,  appended  to  a  brief  description  1  of  the 

event  : 

Williamsburg,  Sept.  22. 

On  Friday  last  the  Company  of  Comedians  from  Eng 
land,  open'd  the  Theatre  in  this  City,  when  The  Merchant 
of  Venice,  and  the  Anatomist,  were  perform'd,  before  a 
numerous  and  polite  Audience,  with  great  Applause  ;  the 
following  Prologue,  suitable  to  the  Occasion,  was  spoken 
by  Mr.  RlGBY. 

PROLOGUE. 

O  !  FOR  the  tuneful  Voice  of  Eloquence, 
Whose  Numbers  flow  with  Harmony  and  Sense, 
That  I  may  soar  above  the  common  Wing, 
In  lively  Strains  the  grateful  Subject  sing; 

l  "  Virginia  Gazette,"  September  22,  1752. 


anb 


13 


To  celebrate  the  laurePd  Poet's  Fame, 

And  thro'  the  World  the  Stage's  Use  proclaim. 

To  charm  the  Fancy,  and  delight  the  Soul, 

To  deal  Instruction,  without  harsh  Controul, 

To  cultivate  (by  pleasing  Arts)  the  Mind, 

To  win  to  Reason,  and  with  Wit  refin'd 

To  check  each  Error,  and  reform  Mankind. 

For  this  the  Bard,  on  Athen's  Infant  Stage, 

At  first  produc'd  the  Drama's  artful  Page ; 

At  once  to  please  and  satyrize  he  knew, 

And  all  his  Characters  from  Nature  drew ; 

Without  Restriction  then,  as  Nature  taught, 

The  Player  acted,  and  the  Poet  wrote ; 

The  Tragic  Muse  did  Honour  to  the  State, 

And  in  a  Mirrour  taught  them  to  be  great ; 

The  Comick  too,  by  gentle  Means  reprov'd ; 

Lash'd  every  Vice,  and  every  Vice  remov'd: 

For  tho'  the  Foible,  or  the  Crime  she  blam'd, 

Smil'd  on  the  Man,  and  with  a  Smile  reclaim'd. 

Thus  was  the  Grecian  Stage,  the  Romans  too, 

When  e'er  they  wrote,  had  Virtue  in  their  View : 

In  this  politer  Age,  on  British  Ground, 

The  sprightly  Scenes,  with  Wit  and  Sense  abound, 

The  brilliant  Stage  with  vast  Applause  is  crown'd, 

And  Shouts  of  Joy  thro'  the  whole  House  resound; 

Yet  not  content  to  bear  so  great  a  Name, 

The  Muse  still  labour'd  to  encrease  her  Fame  ; 

Summon'd  her  Agents  quickly  to  appear, 

Haste,  to  Virginia's  Plains,  my  Sons,  repair, 

The  Goddess  said,  Go,  confident  to  find 

An  Audience  sensible,  polite  and  kind. 

We  heard  and  strait  obey'd  ;  from  Britain's  Shore 

These  unknown  Climes  advent'ring  to  explore: 

For  us  then,  and  our  Muse,  thus  low  I  bend, 


anb  €f)e  Cljcatre, 


Nor  fear  to  find  in  each  the  warmest  Friend; 
Each  smiling  Aspect  dissipates  our  Fear, 
We  ne'er  can  fail  of  kind  Protection  here; 
The  Stage  is  ever  Wisdom's  Tav'rite  Care : 
Accept  our  Labours  then,  approve  our  Pains, 
Your  Smiles  will  please  us  equal  to  our  Gains ; 
And  as  you  all  esteem  the  Darling  Muse, 
The  gen'rous  Plaudit  you  will  not  refuse.1 

It  is  impossible  to  discover  if  Washington  was  pres 
ent  at  this  opening  night,  there  being  no  evidence  either 
for  or  against  it.  It  is  almost  certain,  however,  that  he 
witnessed  some  performances ;  for  the  company  con 
tinued  at  Williamsburg  eleven  months  "before  we 
thought  of  removing,"  and  "performed  with  universal 
Applause  and  met  with  the  greatest  encouragement, 
for  which  we  are  bound  by  the  strongest  of  Obliga 
tions  to  acknowledge  the  many  repeated  instances  of 
their  spirit  and  generosity."  They  were  then  "  per 
suaded  to  come  to  New  York  by  several  Gentlemen," 
and  for  the  next  five  years  there  seems  to  have  been 
no  professional  acting  in  the  Old  Dominion. 

Even  had  the  London  Company  remained  in  Vir 
ginia,  it  is  not  likely  that  the  young  officer  would  have 
seen  much  of  the  drama,  these  years  being  busy  ones  to 
him,  and  for  the  most  part  were  spent  on  the  frontier  in 
the  service  of  the  colony.  Yet  the  instinctive  craving 
probably  remained,  if  it  was  not  gratified.  When  in 
1756  military  duty  carried  him  northward  to  Boston, 

1  This,  the  first  prologue  delivered  in  America  so  far  known, 
should  not  be  confused  with  the  apocryphal  one  printed  by  Dun- 
lap  (I,  17)  as  given  him  by  Hallam,  and  from  that  source  frequently 
reprinted  in  other  books. 


ington  anb  Cfte  Cfteatre,       15 


there  was,  so  far  as  known,  no  company  then  playing 
in  any  city  of  America.  At  New  York,  however,  there 
was  then  on  exhibition  a  piece  of  mechanism  which 
Washington,  for  want  of  something  better,  went  to  see 
twice,  his  ledger  recording  items  of  expenditure,  "  for 
treat'g  Ladies  to  ye  Mm.  [^]i.  8,"  and  "treat'g 
Ladies  to  ye  Microcosm  [^]i.  4."  In  the  "New 
York  Gazette"  of  February  16,  1756,  is  a  descrip 
tion  of  the  machine,  and  in  a  contemporary  pamphlet 
prospectus  is  a  plate  of  it,  so  it  is  possible  to  know 
exactly  what  the  ladies  and  their  cavalier  saw. 

To  be  seen  at  the  NEW-EXCHANGE, 

That  Elaborate  and  Celebrated  Piece  of 
Mechanism,  called  the 

MICROCOSM, 
Or,  The  WORLD  in  MINIATURE. 

Built  in  the  Form  of  a  Roman  Temple,  after  Twenty- 
two  Years  close  Study  and  Application,  by  the  late  in 
genious  Mr.  Henry  Bridges,  of  London;  who,  having 
received  the  Approbation  and  Applause  of  the  Royal 
Society,  &c.  afterwards  made  considerable  Additions  and 
Improvements;  so  that  the  Whole,  being  now  completely 
finished,  is  humbly  offered  to  the  curious  of  this  City,  as 
a  Performance  which  has  been  the  Admiration  of  every 
Spectator,  and  proved  itself  by  its  singular  Perfections  the 
most  instructive  as  well  as  entertaining  Piece  of  Work  in 
Europe. 

A  Piece  of  such  complicated  Workmanship,  and  that 
affords  such  a  Variety  of  Representations  (tho'  all  upon 
the  most  simple  Principles)  can  but  very  imperfectly  be 
described  in  Words  the  best  chosen  ;  therefore  'tis  desired, 


1 6       i©a£l)inflton  anb  €i)e 


what  little  is  said  in  this  Advertisement  may  not  pass  for 
an  Account  of  the  Microcosm,  but  only  what  is  thought 
meerly  necessary  in  the  Title  of  such  an  Account,  &c. 

Its  outward  Structure  is  a  ni(tst  beautiful  Composition 
of  Architecture,  Sculpture  and  Painting.  The  inward 
Contents  are  as  judiciously  adapted  to  gratify  the  Ear, 
the  Eye,  and  the  Understanding;  for  it  plays  with  great 
Exactness  several  fine  Pieces  of  Music,  and  exhibits,  by  an 
amazing  Variety  of  moving  Figures,  Scenes  diversified 
with  natural  Beauties,  Operations  of  Art,  of  human  Em 
ployments  and  Diversion,  all  passing  as  in  real  Life,  &c. 

1.  Shews  all  the  celestial  Phenomena,  with  just  Regard 
to   the   proportionable   Magnitudes  of  their  Bodies,  the 
Figures  of  their  Orbits,  and  the  Periods  of  their  Revolu 
tions,  with  the  Doctrine  of  Jupiter's  Satellites,  of  Eclipses, 
and  of  the  Earth's  annual  and  diurnal  Motions,  which  are 
all  rendered  familiarly  intelligible.     In  particular  will  be 
seen  the  Trajectory  and  Type  of  a  Comet,  predicted  by 
Sir  Isaac  Newton,  to  appear  the  Beginning  of  1758;  like 
wise  a  Transit  of  Venus  over  the  Sun's  Disk,  the  Sixth  of 
June  1761;  also  a  large  and  visible  Eclipse  of  the  Sun, 
the  First  of  April  1764,  &c. 

2.  Are  the  nine  Muses  playing  in  Concert  on  divers  musi 
cal  Instruments,  as  the  Harp,  Hautboy,  Bass  Viol,  &c. 

3.  Is  Orpheus  in  the  Forest,  playing  on  his  Lyre,  and 
beating  exact  Time  to  each  Tune ;  who,  by  his  exquisite 
Harmony,  charms  even  the  wild  Beasts. 

4.  Is  a  Carpenter's  Yard,  wherein  the  various  Branches 
of  that  Trade  are  most  naturally  represented,  &c. 

5.  Is  a  delightful  Grove,  wherein  are  Birds  flying,  and 
in   many  other  Motions   warbling  forth  their  melodious 
Notes,  &c. 

6.  Is  a  fine  Landskip,  with  a  Prospect  of  the  Sea,  where 
Ships  are  sailing  with  a  proportionable  Motion  according 


JE>a£l)ington  ant)  <£t)c  Cljcatre*       17 


to  their  Distance.  On  the  Land  are  Coaches,  Carts  and 
Chaises  passing  along,  with  their  Wheels  turning  round 
as  if  on  the  Road,  and  altering  their  Positions  as  they  as 
cend  or  descend  a  steep  Hill;  and  nearer,  on  a  River,  is 
a  Gunpowder-Mill  at  Work.  On  the  same  River  are 
Swans  swimming,  fishing,  and  bending  their  Necks  back 
wards  to  feather  themselves;  as  also  the  Sporting  of  the 
Dog  and  Duck,  &c. 

7.  And  lastly,  is  shewn  the  whole  Machine  in  Motion, 
when  upwards  of  twelve  Hundred  Wheels  and  Pinnions 
are  in  Motion  at  once:  And  during  the  whole  Perform 
ance  it  plays  several  fine  Pieces  of  Musick  on  the  Organ 
and  other  Instruments,  both  single  and  in  Concert,  in  a 
very  elegant  Manner,  &c. 

Tis  hoped  (as  this  Machine  cannot  be  mov'd  without  a 
considerable  Expence  and  Loss  of  Time,  and  its  purpos'd 
Stay  here  so  very  short)  that  Gentlemen  and  Ladies  will 
be  as  expeditious  as  convenient. 

It  will  be  shewn  every  Day  from  Ten  in  the  Morning 
till  Six  at  Night,  to  any  select  Company  (not  less  than 
Six)  at  Six  Shillings  each,  which  entitles  them  to  see  the 
internal  Parts  of  this  Machine,  in  Motion,  and  upon  what 
Principle  the  Whole  is  perform'd,  so  worthy  the  Notice  of 
the  Curious,  &c. — It  will  likewise  be  shewn  every  Monday, 
Wednesday,  and  Friday  Nights,  to  more  or  less,  exactly 
at  Seven  o'Clock,  at  Four  Shillings  each,  tho'  Prices 
quite  inferior  to  the  Expences  and  Merits  of  this  Machine. 

Tis  likewise  humbly  hoped,  no  Person  will  take  it  amiss 
if  not  admitted  without  a  Ticket,  on  Monday,  Wednesday 
and  Friday  Nights ;  and  that  the  common  Notion  of  its 
being  exhibited  cheaper  at  last,  will  not  disappoint  them 
of  seeing  so  noble  a  Piece  of  MECHANISM. 

TICKETS  to  be  had  at  the  above  Place,  where  a  Fire 
is  constantly  kept. 


1  8      U3a£l)intan  anb 


In  the  following  year,  while  on  the  frontier,  Wash 
ington  subscribed  to  what  was  probably  a  garrison 
play  ;  for  entered  in  his  ledger,  under  date  of  January 
10,  is  an  item  :  "  By  Cash  Jave  the  Players  at  Fort 
Cumbd."  £i.  From  the  same  source  are  taken  two 
entries:  "March  iyth  By  Mr.  Palmas  Tickets  52/6," 
presumably  an  expenditure  made  in  Philadelphia  dur 
ing  the  officer's  visit  there  to  meet  Lord  Loudon  ;  but 
whether  the  tickets  were  for  the  theatre  or  for  a  lot 
tery  cannot  be  discovered.  The  second  entry  is  more 
specific,  being  to  the  effect:  "Apr.  27.  By  Tickets  to 
the  Concert,"  16/3. 

The  French  and  Indian  war  still  engaged  the  ser 
vices  of  the  militia  colonel  in  1759,  *o  tne  exclusion  of 
all  his  pleasures;  and  from  Fort  Cumberland  he  wrote 
to  Mrs.  George  William  Fairfax,  "  the  hours  at  present 
are  melancholy  dull,"  while  in  a  second  letter  he  adds, 
after  alluding  to  the  probable  failure  of  the  campaign, 
"  I  should  think  our  time  more  agreeably  spent,  be 
lieve  me,  in  playing  a  part  in  Cato,  with  the  company 
you  mention  and  myself  doubly  happy  in  being  the 
Juba  to  such  a  Marcia  as  you  must  make." 

With  his  resignation  from  the  service,  and  his  mar 
riage,  came  the  leisure  and  opportunity  to  gratify  his 
love  of  the  drama.  Furthermore,  as  a  "  burgess  "  or 
member  of  the  Assembly  of  his  colony,  an  annual  visit 
to  Williamsburg  to  attend  the  meetings  of  that  body 
became  necessary  ;  and  as  this  period  was  always  the 
capital's  season,  when  plays  were  given,  if  at  all,  he 
was  at  once  able  to  attend  to  his  senatorial  duties  and 
to  enjoy  the  theatre.  It  is  nowhere  recorded  that  there 


anb 


19 


was  a  company  playing  in  Williamsburg  in  1760,  but 
Washington's  ledger  proves  that  there  must  have  been 
one  acting  during  the  session  of  the  Assembly,  for  it 
records  under  October  8,  "  By  Play  Tickets  at  Sun 
dry  times  [£\i.  10.  3." 

Of  such  type  are  recurring  entries  in  the  succeeding 
years,  best  told  by  simple  excerpts  : 


1761  Mar.          Play  Tickets  in  March           [£]  2.      7.  6 

1762  Nov.          Play  Tickets  2.   18.  3 

1763  Apr.  26     Play  Ticket  5/ 

29     Play  Tickets  io/ 

May    2     Play  Tickets  12/6 

3     Play  8/9 

19     By  Play  Ticket  5/ 
1765     Apr.    2     By  my  Exps  to  hear  the  Ar- 

monica  3.9 

1767     Apr.  io     Ticket  for  the  Concert  5/ 
May  20     By   Exps  in  seeing  Slight  of 

hand  performance  i.    7.  6 

With  1768  something  better  than  these  bald  entries 
is  procurable.  In  that  year  the  "  Virginia  Company 
of  Comedians  "  gave  a  season  of  two  months  in  Wil 
liamsburg,  and  on  May  2  Washington  wrote  in  the 
daily  record  he  kept  of  "  where  &  how  my  time  is 
spent,"  that  he  "  went  to  Williamsburg  with  Colo. 
Bassett,  Colo  Lewis  &  Mr.  Dick.  Bind  with  Mrs 
Dawson  —  and  went  to  the  Play."  From  the  ledger 
it  is  discovered  that  Washington  was  clearly  the  host, 
for  the  tickets  cost  him  ^i.  75.  6d.  So  again,  on  Sep- 
5 


20 


anb 


tember  20  of  the  same  year,  his  diary  states  that  he 
"  &  Mrs.  Washington  &  ye  two  child'n  were  up  to 
Alexandria  to  see  the  Inconstant  or  way  to  win  him 
acted  " ;  the  entry  for  the  next  day  reading  "  Stayd 
in  Town  all  day  &  saw  the  Tragedy  of  Douglas  playd." 
Probably  these  were  given  by  the  same  company  which 
had  played  in  Williamsburg,  and  the  double  perform 
ance  cost  him  ^3.  i2S.  6d.  On  October  6  he  made 
an  additional  expenditure,  "  By  Play  Ticket  for  Jno. 
P.  Custis  5/."  It  is  of  interest  to  note  that  "  ye  two 
child'n  "  thus  taken  to  the  theatre  were  his  stepson  and 
stepdaughter,  John  Parke  and  Martha  Parke  Custis, 
respectively  fifteen  and  thirteen  years  of  age. 

The  only  fact  obtainable  concerning  Washington's 
"  play  "  hours  in  1769  is  a  brief  statement  in  his  diary 
that  on  September  19  he  "  went  to  Court"  at  Alexan 
dria,  "  stay'd  all  night  &  went  to  see  slight  of  hand 
perform'd."  The  year  1770  makes  a  better  showing, 
for  there  are  three  entries  in  his  ledger :  "  May  24  By 
4  Play  Tickets  307  ";  "June  16  Tickets  to  Play  &c. 
15/6";  and  June  23  "  By  Play  Tickets  £2." 

Of  all  these  years  of  pleasant  social  life,  1771  was 
the  most  full  in  dramatic  enjoyment.  On  January  29 
he  "  In  the  Evening  went  to  a  Play  "  acted  at  Dum 
fries,  at  a  cost  "  By  two  Play  Tickets"  of  io/,  supple 
mented  "  By  Exps.  at  the  Play  "  of  6/3.  On  May  2 
he  "  set  out  with  Colo  Bassett,  for  Williamsburg,  and 
reached  Town  about  12  O'Clock — dined  at  Mrs. 
Dawsons  &  went  to  the  Play."  The  following  even 
ing  he  "  Dined  at  the  Speakers  and  went  to  the  Play 
—  after  wch  Drank  a  Bowl  or  two  of  Punch  at  Mrs. 


anli 


21 


Campbells  "  ;  and  on  the  8th  he  "  Dined  at  Southalls 
with  Colo  Robt  Fairfax  &  some  other  Gentlemn  & 
went  to  the  Play  &c,"  the  total  expenditure  for  tickets 
on  these  three  evenings  being  52/6.  Again,  on  July 
23,  he  spent  i5/  for  the  same  purpose,  presumably  a 
performance  given  in  Alexandria.  In  September  of 
the  same  year  he  went  to  Annapolis  to  attend  the 
races,  and  of  this  visit  his  diary  records: 

Sept  24    Dined  with  the  Govr  and  went  to  the  Play  & 
Ball  afterwards 

25  Dined  at  Doctr  Stewards  and  went  to  the  Play 

and  Ball  afterwards 

26  Dined  at  Mr.  Ridouts  and  went  to   the  Play 

after  it 

28     Dined  at  Mr.  Bouchers  and  went  from  thence  to 
the  Play  and  afterwards  to  the  Coffee  H. 

The  cost  to  him  "By  Play  Tickets  at  Different 
times  "  was  ^3.  But  a  month  later,  during  the  session 
of  the  burgesses,  he  spent  "  By  Sundry  Tickets  while 
in  Wmburg  4.  i.  o."  Concerning  this  theatre-going 
his  diary  chronicles 

Oct.  29     Dined  at  the  Speaker's  and  went  to  the  Play  in 

the  Afternoon 

31     Dined  at  the  Governor's  &  went  to  the  Play 
Nov.     i     Dined  at  Mrs.  Dawson's—  Went  to  the  Fire 
works  in  the  afternoon  and  to  the  Play  at  Night 
4     Dined  with  the  Council  and  went  to  the  Play 
afterwards. 


22 


anb  €tje  Cljeatte. 


In  the  "  Virginia  Gazette"  for  January  23,  1772,  an 
advertisement,  or  "  Preliminary  Notice,"  informs  the 
public  that  "  The  American  Company  of  Comedians 
intend  for  this  place  by  the  meeting  of  the  General 
Assembly,  and  to  perform  till  the  end  of  the  April 
Court.  They  then  proceed  to  the  Northward  by  en 
gagement,  where  it  is  probable  they  will  continue 
some  years."  And  from  the  same  source  something 
can  be  learned  of  the  repertoire  of  the  Thespians,  a 
paragraph  announcing:  "New  Plays. — We  hear  that 
a  new  comedy,  called  '  The  Brothers,'  written  by  Mr. 
Cumberland,  author  of  the  much  approved  '  West  In 
dian,'  is  now  in  rehearsal  and  will  soon  make  its  ap 
pearance  on  our  theatre ;  also  that  '  False  Delicacy ' 
and  a  '  Word  to  the  Wise,'  the  productions  of  the  in 
genious  Mr.  Hugh  Kelly,  whose  spirited  letter  to  the 
Lord  Mayor  (Beckford)  has  been  read  by  most  people, 
are  in  great  forwardness."  From  Washington's  diary 
and  ledger  the  following  extracts  are  made  : 

Mar    ii.  Dined  at  the  Club  and  went  to  the  Play 

Mar    17.  Dined  at  the  Club  and  went  to  the  Play  in  the 

afternoon 
19.   Dined  at  Mrs.  Dawsons  &  went  to  the  Play  in 

the  evening 

25.  Dinedat  Mrs.  Lewis  Bunvells  and  went  to  the  Play 

26.  Dined  at  the  Club  and  went  to  the  Play 

Apr.     3.  Dined  at  Mrs.  Campbell's  and  went  to  the  Play 

—  Then  to  Mrs.  Campbells  again 
7.  Dined  at  Mrs.  Campbells  and  went  to  the  Play 

Apr.    9    By  Sundry  Play  Tickets  for  myself  &   others 
whilst  in  Town  [£]  5.  12.  6 


3©a$)ington  anb  €fje  Cljeatte.       23 

Light  on  his  play-going  during  another  attendance 
at  the  races  at  Annapolis  is  obtainable  from  the  same 
sources,  as  follows : 

Oct  5.  Reached  Annapolis — Dined  at  the  Coffee  House 
with  the  Jockey  Club  &  lodged  at  the  Govr 
after  going  to  the  Play. 

7.  Dined  at  the  Govrs  and  went  to  the  Play  after 

wards. 

8.  Dined  at  Colo  Loyds  and  went  to  the  Play  — 

from  thence  early  to  my  lodgings. 

9.  Dined  at  Mr.  Roberts— went  to  the  Play  &  to 

the  Govrs  to  Supper. 

In  his  ledger  is  the  item  "  Oct  6  By  Sundry  Tickets 
to  the  Plays  [;£]i,"  supplemented  by  other  items  in 
his  cash-book  as  follows  : 

Oct.      5     By  Douglas's  Compy          [£]  i.  19.  o 
By  Play  .6. 

8  By  Play  Ticket  .6. 

9  "     "         "  6 
10      "    "         "        ts                           12 

Nov.  16     By  cost  of  seeing  Wax  Works        .7.  6 
"  Do  Do  Puppit  Show  n.  6 

Having  occasion  to  come  to  New  York  in  1773  to 
enter  his  stepson  at  King's  College,  Washington  be 
guiled  part  of  his  stay  in  the  city  in  a  manner  briefly 
described  in  his  Journal:  "May  28th  Dined  with  Mr. 
James  Delancey,  and  went  to  the  Play  and  Hulls 
Tavern  in  the  evening,"  the  plays  being  "  Hamlet " 


24      i©a$)ington  anb 


and  "  Cross  Purposes,"  and  the  cost  "  By  Play 
Tickets"  8/.  Once  again  he  attends  the  Annapolis 
races  and  plays  of  this  year,  entered  thus  briefly  in 
his  diary  : 

Sept   27.  Dined  at  the  Govrs  and  went  to  the  Play  in  the 
Evening 

28.  Again  dined  at  the  Govrs  and  went  to  the  Play 

&  Ball  in  the  Evening 

29.  Dined  at  Mr.  Sprigs  &  went  to  the  Play  in  the 

Evening. 

With  this  ends  Washington's  enjoyment  of  the  thea 
tre  for  several  years.  In  1774  the  controversy  between 
Great  Britain  and  her  Colonies  had  reached  such  a 
height  that  a  Congress  met  at  Philadelphia  to  discuss 
what  united  action  should  be  taken,  and  one  of  the 
resolutions  come  to  and  recommended  to  the  people 
was  : 

We  will  in  our  several  Stations  encourage  Frugality, 
Oeconomy,  and  Industry,  and  promote  Agriculture,  Arts 
and  the  Manufactures  of  this  Country,  especially  that  of 
Wool  ;  and  will  discountenance  and  discourage  every 
Species  of  Extravagance  and  Dissipation,  especially  all 
Horse  Racing,  and  all  Kinds  of  Gaming,  Cock  Fighting, 
Exhibitions  of  Shews,  Plays,  and  other  expensive  Diver 
sions  and  Entertainments  ;  and  on  the  Death  of  any  Rela 
tion  or  Friend,  none  of  us,  or  any  of  our  Families  will  go 
into  any  further  Mourning  Dress  than  a  black  Crape  or 
Ribbon  on  the  Arm  or  Hat  for  Gentlemen,  and  a  black 
Ribbon  and  Necklace  for  Ladies,  and  we  will  discontinue 
the  giving  of  Gloves  and  Scarves  at  Funerals. 


£? 

Facsimile  of  Washington's  Diary,  1773. 


C    5    ] 

have  any  commercial  connexion,    with  fuch 
merchant. 

Sixth.  THAT  fuch  as  are  owners  of  veflels 
will  give  pofitive  orders  <o  their  captains,  or 
mafters,  not  to  receive  on  board  their  veflels 
any  goods  prohibited  by  thefaid  non-importati 
on  agreement,  on  pain  of  immediate  difmifiion 
from  their  fervice. 

Seventh.  WE  will  ufc  our  utmoft  endeavours 
to  improve  the  breed  of  {heep  and  incieafe  their 
number  to  the  greatefl  extent,  and  to  that  end, 
we  will  kill  them  as  fparingly  as  may  be,  efpe- 
cially  thofeof  the  moft  profitable  kind-,  nor  will 
we  export  any  to  the  Weft- Indies  or  elfewhere; 
and  thofe  of  us  who  arc  or  may  become  over* 
(locked  with,  or  can  conveniently  fpare  any 
(heep,  will  difpofc  ot  them  to  our  neighbours, 
efpecially  to  the  poorer  fort,  on  moderate  terms. 

Eighth.  THAT  we  will  in  our  feveral  (la- 
tions  encourage  frugality,  ceconomy,  and  in* 
duftry  ;  and  promote  agriculture,  arts,  and  the 
manufactures  of  this  country,  efpecially  that  of 
wool;  and  will  difcountenancc  and  difcourage, 
every  fpecies  of  extravagance  and  difllpation, 
efpecially  all  Jiorfe  racing,  and  all  kinds  of 
gaming,  cock  fighting,  exhibitions  of  (hews, 
plays,  and  other  expenfive  diverfions  and  en 
tertainments.  And  on  the  death  of  any  rela 
tion  or  friend,  none  of  us,  or  any  of  our  fami 
lies  will  go  into  any  further  mourning  drefs, 
than  a  black  crape  or  ribbon  on  the  arm  or  hat 

for 

One  page  of  the  Association  of  the  First  Congress,  1774. 


X^-^2 


A*/# 


^rwf^  lct/LJtvn& 


Facsimile  of  Washington's  signature  to  the  Association  of  the  First  Congress. 


3®a$)ington  anfc  CJje  Cjjeatre.       25 

Of  this  Congress  Washington  was  a  member,  and  he 
signed  the  "  association "  of  which  the  above  para 
graph  is  a  part.  It  was  sufficient  to  put  an  end  to  all 
play- giving  in  the  Colonies ;  but  even  if  it  had  not  been, 
his  military  appointment  to  the  command  of  the  Con 
tinental  Army  would  have  prevented  the  general  from 
further  enjoying  them. 

If  the  outbreak  of  the  Revolution  ended  for  a  time 
Washington's  seeing  of  plays,  it  produced  a  new  phase, 
by  putting  him  into  them — not,  as  he  once  wished,  as 
a  performer,  but  as  a  character.  Thus,  Thomas  Lay- 
cock's  play  entitled  "  The  Fall  of  British  Tyranny  " 
and  an  anonymous  farce  styled  "  The  Battle  of  Brook 
lyn,"  both  issued  in  17 76,  introduce  the  commander-in- 
chief  in  the  caste;  the  one,  a  Whig  production,  presents 
him  as  a  hero,  while  the  second,  of  Tory  origin,  gives 
the  obverse,  though  it  is  an  interesting  fact  that  he  is 
drawn  even  in  this  as  the  one  honest  and  high-princi 
pled  man  of  a  band  of  rogues.  No  other  plays  issued 
during  the  war  introduce  him,  but  in  1784  Peter 
Markoe's  tragedy  of  "  The  Patriot  Chief "  was  based 
on  his  Revolutionary  services,  and  in  1791  another 
tragedy,  entitled  "  Vashington,"  was  issued  in  Paris, 
the  author  being  a  M.  de  Sauvigny.  From  that  time 
he  has  been  several  times  a  dramatis  persona. 

Although  the  First  Congresshad  disapproved  of  plays, 
and  Washington  had  signed  the  interdiction,  the  dreari 
ness  of  the  winter  at  Valley  Forge  led  to  his  not  persist 
ing  in  his  disapproval ;  and  that  he  himself  witnessed 
at  least  one  play  is  told  in  a  letter  from  Colonel  William 
Bradford  to  his  sister,  that  deserves  full  quotation : 


26      MDa£f)ingt0n  anb  Clje  STljeatre, 


May  I4th.  1778 
MY  DEAR  RACHEL 

I  find  by  a  Letter  from  my  father  that  you  are  on  a 
visit  at  Trenton.  I  should  be  happy  could  you  extend  your 
Jaunt  as  far  as  full  View.  The  Camp  could  now  afford 
you  some  entertainment.  The  manceuvering  of  the  Army 
is  in  itself  a  sight  that  would  charm  you.  Besides  these, 
the  Theatre  is  opened  —  Last  Monday  Cato  was  performed 
before  a  very  numerous  &  splendid  audience.  His  Excel 
lency  &  Lady,  Lord  Sterling,  the  Countess  &  Lady  Kitty,  & 
Mrs.  Green  were  part  of  the  Assembly.  The  Scenery  was 
in  Taste  —  &  the  performance  admirable.  Col.  George 
did  his  part  to  admiration  —  he  made  an  excellent  die  (as 
they  say)  —  Pray  heaven,  he  dont  die  in  earnest  —  for 
yesterday  he  was  seized  with  the  pleurisy  &  lies  extremely 
ill — If  the  Enemy  does  not  retire  from  Philada  soon,  our 
Theatrical  amusement  will  continue — The  fair  Penitent 
with  the  Padlock  will  soon  be  acted.  The  "  recruiting 
Officer  "  is  also  on  foot  — 

I  hope  however  we  shall  be  disappointed  in  all  these  by 
the  more  agreeable  Entertainment  of  taking  possession  of 
Philada  There  are  strong  rumors  that  the  English  are 
meditating  a  retreat — Heaven  send  it  —  for  I  fear  we 
shall  not  be  able  to  force  them  to  go  these  two  months. 

I  scrawl  these  few  lines  to  accompany  a  letter  which  I 
send  to  my  Father  —  Love  to  sister  Betsy  &  all  Friends — 

Adieu  ma  chere  soeur,  je  suis  votre 

W.  B. 

These  plays,  and  others  announced  to  be  given  in 
Philadelphia  soon  after  its  reoccupation  by  the  Whigs, 
once  more  stirred  the  Continental  Congress  into  a  cru 
sade  against  the  theatre,  and  the  "  Journal "  states 
that  on  October  12 


JDa$jingtott  anb  €f)e  Ctjcatre.       27 


A  motion  was  made  that  Congress  pass  the  following 
resolutions : 

Whereas  true  religion  and  good  morals  are  the  only 
solid  foundations  of  public  liberty  and  happiness  : 

Resolved,  That  it  be  and  it  is  hereby  earnestly  recom 
mended  to  the  several  states  to  take  the  most  effectual 
measures  for  the  encouragement  thereof,  and  for  the  sup 
pressing  theatrical  entertainments,  horse-racing,  gaming, 
and  such  other  diversions  as  are  productive  of  idleness,  dis 
sipation,  and  a  general  depravity  of  principles  and  manners. 

This  motion  was  carried  by  vote  of  all  the  States 
except  Maryland,  Virginia,  and  North  Carolina,  two 
of  those  being  in  the  negative,  and  Virginia  divided. 
The  resolution  apparently  not  having  the  desired 
effect,  Congress  passed,  on  October  16,  a  more  drastic 
one: 

A  motion  being  made  in  the  words  following : 
Whereas  frequenting  playhouses  and  theatrical  enter 
tainments  has  a  fatal  tendency  to  divert  the  minds  of  the 
people  from  a  due  attention  to  the  means  necessary  for 
the  defence  of  their  country  and  the  preservation  of  their 
liberties : 

Resolved,  That  any  person  holding  an  office  under  the 
United  States,  who  shall  act,  promote,  encourage  or  at 
tend  such  plays,  shall  be  deemed  unworthy  to  hold  such 
office,  and  shall  be  accordingly  dismissed.  1 

1  The  French  minister,  Ge'rard,  wrote  to  his  government  concern 
ing  these  resolutions : 

"The  Philadelphia  papers  contain  two  resolutions  passed  by 
Congress.  .  .  .  The  second  is  a  renewal  of  the  request  made  by 
certain  States  to  interdict  dances,  spectacles,  and  races.  The  very 
day  this  resolution  appeared  a  public  (theatrical)  performance,  given 


28      iBa^ington  anfc  €f)c  Cljeatre* 


This,  too,  was  agreed  to,  only  New  York,  Mary 
land,  Virginia,  North  Carolina,  and  Georgia  voting 
against  it.  And  on  the  same  day  the  President  of  Con 
gress —  Laurens — inclosed  to*the  commander-in-chief 
"  an  act  of  this  date  in  a  printed  paper  forbidding 
every  Person  holding  an  office  under  the  United  States 
to  encourage  or  attend  at  Theatrical  Entertainments." 
That  this  crusade  did  not  produce  the  suppression 
of  all  plays  is  certain ;  but  it  seems  to  have  put  an 
end  to  Washington's  being  present  at  them. 

After  the  surrender  of  Lord  Cornwallis,  the  com 
mander-in-chief  spent  some  weeks  in  Philadelphia, 
that  he  might  consult  with  Congress  concerning  the 
future  operations  of  the  army.  During  this  visit  Lu- 
zerne  gave  an  entertainment  in  his  honor,  which  the 
"  Freeman's  Journal  "  of  December  19, 1781,  described 
as  follows:  "  On  Tuesday  evening  of  the  nth  inst. 
his  excellency  the  minister  of  France,  who  embraces 
every  opportunity  to  manifest  his  respect  to  the  wor 
thies  of  America,  and  politeness  to  its  inhabitants,  en 
tertained  his  excellency  general  Washington,  and  his 

by  army  officers  and  Whig  citizens,  was  to  take  place.  The  follow 
ing  day  the  Governor  of  Philadelphia  gave  a  ball,  numerously  at 
tended.  Congress,  finding  that  its  simple  recommendation  was  not 
regarded  a  law,  prepared  a  resolution  on  the  i6th  to  enforce  it, 
which  rendered  incapable  of  employment  every  officer  who  should 
take  part  in  or  attend  any  spectacle.  On  the  other  hand,  Maryland, 
Virginia,  and  Carolina  regard  horse-racing  as  a  national  affair.  It 
is  the  northern  members,  called  the  Presbyterian  party,  that  delight 
in  passing  moral  laws  so  as  to  keep  their  credit  and  rigor  in  full  ex 
ercise.  Such  contests  interfere  with  important  business.  It  is  plain 
to  me  that  the  delays  which  have  occurred  since  I  came  originate 
in  these." 


anb 


29 


lady,  the  lady  of  general  Greene,  and  a  very  polite 
circle  of  the  gentlemen  and  ladies,  with  an  elegant 
Concert,  in  which  an  Oratorio,  composed  &  set  to 
music  by  a  gentleman  whose  taste  in  the  polite  arts  is 
well  known,  was  introduced,  and  afforded  the  most 
sensible  pleasure."  A  second  pleasure  was  given  to 
Washington  during  this  Philadelphia  visit,  reported  in 
the  issue  of  January  9,  1782,  of  the  same  paper :  "  On 
Wednesday  evening  the  26.  instant,  Alexander  Ques- 
nay,  esq.  exhibited  a  most  elegant  entertainment  at 
the  playhouse,  where  were  present  his  excellency  gen 
eral  Washington,  the  Minister  of  France,  the  president 
of  the  State,  a  number  of  the  officers  of  the  army  and 
a  brilliant  assemblage  of  ladies  and  gentlemen  of  the 
city,  who  were  invited."  The  entertainment  was  held 
at  the  South  wark  Theatre,  corner  of  South  and  Apollo 
(now  Charles)  streets,  between  Fourth  and  Fifth 
streets.  "  After  a  prologue  suitable  to  the  occasion, 
EUGENIE  an  elegant  French  comedy  was  first  pre 
sented  (written  by  the  celebrated  M.  Beaumarchais) 
and  in  the  opinion  of  several  good  judges  was  ex 
tremely  well  acted  by  the  young  gentlemen,  students 
in  that  polite  language.  After  the  comedy  was  acted 
the  LYING  VALET  a  farce,  to  this  succeeded  several 
curious  dances,  followed  by  a  brilliant  illumination, 
consisting  of  thirteen  pyramidal  pillars,  representing 
the  thirteen  States  —  on  the  middle  column  was  seen 
a  Cupid,  supporting  a  laurel  crown  over  the  motto  — 
WASHINGTON  — the  pride  of  his  country  and  ter 
ror  of  Britain.  On  the  summit  was  the  word  —  Vir 
ginia —  on  the  right  —  Connecticut,  with  the  names 
7 


GREENE  and  LA  FAYETTE  — on  the  left  — the 
word  Pennsylvania  with  the  names  WAYNE  and 
STUBEN ;  and  so  on  according  to  the  birth  place  and 
state  proper  to  each  general.  The  spectacle  ended 
with  an  artificial  illumination  of  the  thirteen  columns." 
Alexander  Quesnay  de  Glouvay,  who  had  the  direction 
of  this  "most  elegant  entertainment,"  was  a  French 
teacher. 

In  July,  1782,  Washington  was  again  in  Phila 
delphia,  and  while  there  he  attended  a  second  enter 
tainment  given  by  Luzerne.  Of  this  the  "  Pennsylvania 
Packet  "  for  July  18,  1782,  said  :  "  Last  Monday  His 
Excellency  the  minister  of  France  celebrated  the  birth 
of  Monsigneur  the  Dauphin.  In  the  evening  there 
was  a  concert  of  musick  in  a  room  erected  for  that 
purpose.  The  concert  finished  at  nine  o'clock,  when 
the  fireworks  began,  and  at  the  same  time  began  a 
very  brilliant  ball:  this  was  followed  by  a  supper. 
The  presence  of  His  Excellency  General  Washington 
and  Count  Rochambeau  rendered  the  entertainment 
as  compleat  as  could  possibly  be  wished." 

The  resolutions  of  the  Continental  Congress,  as  well 
as  various  laws  passed  by  the  States,  had  served  to 
suppress  all  professional  acting  in  the  United  States 
during  the  Revolution.  With  the  arrival  of  peace, 
however,  Hallam  returned  to  America,  and  early  in 
1784  petitioned  the  Assembly  of  Pennsylvania  to  re 
peal  their  law  forbidding  plays.  Failing  to  accom 
plish  this,  he  began  to  give  performances  in  Phila 
delphia,  veiling  their  true  nature  by  advertising  them 
as  lectures.  While  he  was  thus  evading  the  law, 


31 


Washington  came  to  the  city  to  attend  the  meeting 
of  the  Society  of  the  Cincinnati,  and  on  May  22  he 
purchased  four  "  Play  Tickets  "  at  a  cost  of  30/5  thus 
indicating  that  he  thought  the  law  not  one  that  should 
receive  the  support  of  good  citizens.  Having  occa 
sion  later  in  the  year  to  go  to  Richmond,  he  spent  in 
that  city  (November  20)  ^£3.  i6s.  for  four  play  tickets; 
and  on  November  29,  at  Annapolis,  he  bought  another 
four,  at  a  cost  of  £i.  IDS.  Both  of  these  performances 
were  probably  given  by  Hallam. 

In  the  seclusion  of  Mount  Vernon  which  followed 
Washington's  retirement  from  the  public  service,  there 
was  no  play-going;  and  not  till  he  journeyed  to  Phila 
delphia  in  1787,  to  attend  the  Federal  Convention, 
did  he  have  the  opportunity  to  hear  anything  dramatic 
or  musical.  His  journal  of  that  stay  carefully  notes 
on  each  day  his  various  occupations  and  enjoyments. 
Following  these  entries  are  the  advertisements  of  the 
performances  heard: 

Tuesday,  May  29.  "Attended  Convention,  and 
dined  at  home,  after  wch  accompanied  Mrs.  Morris  to 
the  benefit  concert  of  a  Mr.  Julian." 

Tuesday,  June  12.  "  Dined  at  Mr.  Morris's  and 
drunk  Tea  there.  Went  afterwards  to  the  concert  at 
the  City  Tavern." 

MR.  REINAGLE'S 
CONCERT 

Will  be  performed  at  the  City-Tavern,  This  Evening, 
the  1  2th  Instant. 


32       ItDnaijtngtcm  aiiD  €l)e 


ACT  I. 

Overture,  Bach 

Concerta  Violoncello,  Capron 

Song,  •                                   Sarti 

ACT  II. 

Overture,  Andre 

Concerto  Violin,  Fiorella 

Concerto  Flute,  Brown 

ACT  III. 

Overture  (La  Buono  Figluola)  Picicini 

Sonata  Piano  Forte,  Reinagle 
A  new  Overture  (in  which  is  introduced 

a  Scots  Strathspey)  Reinagle 

The  Concert  will  begin  exactly  at  a  quarter  before 
8  o'clock. 

Tickets,  at  75.  6  each,  to  be  had  at  the  City-Tavern, 
and  of  Mr.  Reinagle,  in  Carter's  alley.1 

Tuesday,  July  10.  "  Dined  and  drank  Tea  at  Mr. 
Morris's,  drank  Tea  at  Mr.  Binghams,  and  went  to  the 

play." 

SPECTACULUM   VIT^E. 
At  the  Opera  House  in  Southwark 
This  Evening,  the  10  July, 
Will  be  performed 

A  Concert, 

In  the  First  Part  of  which  will  be  introduced  an  Enter 
tainment  called  the 

DETECTION  : 
or,  the  Servants  Hall  in  an  Uproar. 

i  "Pennsylvania  Packet  and  Daily  Advertiser,"  Tuesday,  June 
12,  1787. 


aitfc  €f)e  €l)catre,       33 


To  which  is  added  —  A  Comic  Opera, 

in  two  Acts  called 

Love  in  a  Camp, 

or  Patrick  in  Prussia,  &c.  &c. 

Saturday,  July  14.  "  In  Convention.  Dined  at 
Springsbury  with  the  Club  and  went  to  the  play  in 
the  afternoon." 


SPECTACULUM 
At  the  Opera-House  in  Southwark, 
This  Evening,  the  I4th  July, 
Will  be  Performed 

A  Concert, 
In  which  will  be  introduced  — 

An 

Opera, 

Called—  The 
Tempest, 
Or,  The 

Inchanted  Island  : 
(Altered  from  Shakespear  by  Dryden) 

To  Conclude  with  —  A  Grand 
Masque 

of 
Neptune  and  Amphitrite; 

With  entire  New 

Scenery,  Machinery,  &c.  &c. 

The  Music  composed  by  Doctor  Purcel. 

%*  The  Managers  respectfully  inform  the  Public, 

that  on  account  of  the  Variety  of  Preparations  in  Sce 

nery,  Music,  Dresses,  &c.  necessary  for  this  Opera, 

there  can  be  no  Entertainment  this  Evening. 


34      J©a$)higton  anb  €{)e  Cljeatre, 


At  the  Desire  of  several  Ladies  and  Gentlemen, 
The  doors  in  future  will  be  opened  at  Seven  o'clock, 

and  the  Curtain  drawn  up  precisely  at  Eight 
Tickets    to    be    purchased    at*  Mr.    Bradford's    Book 
store,  in  Front-street,  and  places  for  the  Boxes  to  be 
taken  of  Mr.  Ryan,  at  Mr.  North's,  next  door  to  the 

Opera  House,  from  Ten  till  One  o'clock. 
Ladies  and  gentlemen  are  requested  to  send  their 

servants  in  time  to  keep  their  boxes. 
Box  75.  6d. Pit  55. Gallery  35.  gd.1 

Saturday?  July  21.  "In  Convention.  Dined  at 
Springsbury  with  the  Club  of  Gent'n  &  Ladies.  Went 
to  the  play  afterwards." 

SPECTACULUM   VIT^E. 

At  the  Opera-House  in  Southwark, 

This  Evening,  the  2ist  July, 

Will  be  Performed 

A  Concert : 

Between  the  Parts  of  the  Concert  will  be  recited  —  A 

Moral  Poem, 

Called  the 

Crusade, 

Or,  The 

Generous  Sultan. 

By  Mr.  James  Thomson,  Author  of  the  Seasons. 

With  the  Original 

Epilogue 

To 
Edward  and  Eleonora.2 

1  "  Pennsylvania  Packet  and  Daily  Advertiser,"  Saturday,  July 
14,  1787. 

^  "  Pennsylvania  Packet  and  Daily  Advertiser,"  Saturday,  July 
21,  1787. 


anb  €fje  €l)catte*      35 


The  plays  thus  witnessed  were  given  by  Hallam's 
company,  which  had  come  from  New  York  to  play 
during  the  session  of  the  Convention.  Apparently 
Washington  was  a  guest  at  two  of  these  performances, 
as  his  ledger  only  mentions  one  disbursement,  "  July 
9.  By  a  Play  Ticket  7/6." 

Elected  President  of  the  United  States,  Washington 
came  to  New  York  in  April,  1789,  to  be  inaugurated  — 
an  event  the  John  Street  Theatre  signalized  by  illu 
minated  transparencies,  "one  of  which  represented 
Fame  as  an  angel  descending  from  Heaven  to  crown 
Washington  with  the  emblems  of  immortality."  De 
spite  the  inevitable  press  of  business  on  the  newly  elected 
official,  due  to  the  organization  of  the  government, 
there  was  little  delay  on  his  part  in  his  attendance  at 
a  play,  only  ten  days  having  elapsed  between  the 
taking  of  his  oath  and  the  event  announced  in  the 
"  Gazette  of  the  United  States  "  as  follows  : 

THEATRE. 

On  Monday  evening,  THE  PRESIDENT  of  the  United 
States,  His  Excellency  the  Vice-President,  His  Excellency 
the  Governor,  His  Excellency  the  Count  De  Moustier,  and 
several  other  foreigners  and  natives  of  distinction,  hon 
ored  the  Theatre  with  their  presence.  There  was  a  most 
crouded  house,  and  the  ladies  who  were  numerous  made 
a  most  brilliant  appearance.  The  judicious  choice  of  per 
formances  for  the  evening,  and  the  proper  assignment  of 
the  parts  to  suitable  characters,  rendered  the  exhibition  in 
a  high  degree  entertaining.1 

1  May  15,  1789. 


36      M5a$)ington  anfc 


From  the  journal  of  Senator  William  Maclay  what 
plays  were  seen,  and  other  facts,  are  discoverable: 
"May  nth.  —  I  received  a  ticket  from  the  President 
of  the  United  States  to  use  his  box  this  evening  at  the 
theatre,  being  the  first  of  his  appearance  at  the  play 
house  since  his  entering  on  his  office.  Went.  The 
President,  Governor  of  the  State,  foreign  Ministers, 
Senators  from  New  Hampshire,  Connecticut,  Pennsyl 
vania,  M[aryland].,  and  South  Carolina;  and  some 
ladies  in  the  same  box.  I  am  old,  and  notices  or  at 
tentions  are  lost  on  me.  I  could  have  wished  some 
of  my  dear  children  in  my  place  ;  they  are  young  and 
would  have  enjoyed  it.  Long  might  they  live  to 
boast  of  having  been  seated  in  the  same  box  with  the 
first  Character  in  the  world.  The  play  was  the  *  School 
for  Scandal.'  I  never  liked  it  ;  indeed,  I  think  it  an 
indecent  representation  before  ladies  of  character  and 
virtue.  Farce,  the  *  Old  Soldier.'  The  house  greatly 
crowded,  and  I  thought  the  players  acted  well;  but  I 
wish  we  had  seen  the  'Conscious  Lovers,'  or  some 
one  that  inculcated  more  prudential  manners." 

The  "Gazette  of  the  United  States"  shows  that 
once  again  the  President  witnessed  a  play  in  the  spring 
season,  the  notice  of  the  performance  of  June  5  read 
ing: 

THEATRE  —  JOHN  STREET. 

Last  Evening  was  presented  that  excellent  Comedy  the 
CLANDESTINE  MARRIAGE. 

THE  PRESIDENT  of  the  United  States  and  his  Lady 
—  the  Most  Honorable  ROBERT  MORRIS  and  Lady  — 
the  Gentlemen  of  the  President's  Suite—  Honorable  Gen 
eral  KNOX  and  Lady  —  Baron  STEUBEN  —  and  many 


/,,tt   •  <     >X  s'    i/ ft'    /ft/tit     /'' 


anfc  €lje  €l)eatrc,      37 


other  respectable  and  distinguished  characters,  honored 
the  THEATRE  by  their  presence. 

The  reiterated  plaudits  bestowed  on  the  various  parts 
of  the  performance,  designated  the  merit  of  the  actors  — 
and  it  is  but  just  to  say,  that,  animated  by  the  counte 
nance  of  such  illustrious  auditors,  the  characters  were 
supported  with  great  spirit  and  propriety. —  Mrs.  HENRY 
and  Mrs.  MORRIS,  played  with  their  usual  naivete  and 
with  uncommon  animation.1 

First  sickness  and  then  a  journey  through  New 
England  interrupted  further  play-going  for  a  time; 
but  the  President's  ledger  shows  that  if  he  did  not  at 
tend  himself,  he  sent  a  niece,  for  a  charge  on  Novem 
ber  3  is  :  "  By  a  play  ticket  for  Miss  Harriet  Washing 
ton  3/."  Very  promptly  on  his  return  to  the  city  he 
resumed  his  visits  to  the  theatre,  his  first  one  being  on 
November  24,  1789.  Of  this  he  wrote  in  his  diary: 
"  Went  to  the  play  in  the  evening  —  sent  tickets  to  the 
following  ladies  and  gentlemen  and  invited  them  to 
seats  in  my  box,  viz  :  —  Mrs.  Adams,  (lady  of  the  Vice- 
President,)  Genl.  Schuyler  and  lady,  Mr.  King  and  lady, 
Majr.  Butler  and  lacly,  Colo.  Hamilton  and  lady,  Mrs. 
Green  —  all  of  whom  accepted  and  came,  except  Mrs. 
Butler,  who  was  indisposed."  The  advertisement  of 
the  performance  read : 

Mr.  WlGNELL'S  Night. 

THEATRE. 

By  the  Old  American  Company, 

THIS  EVENING,  the  24th  instant, 

will  be  presented,  a  COMEDY,  never  acted  in 

America,  called, 
8  l  June  6,  1789. 


3s       3&a$f>tngton  anb  €ty  Cljeatre, 


The  TOY ;  or, 

A  Trip  to  Hampton  Court. 

As  now  performing  with  appjause  at  the  Theatre 

Royal,  Covent  Garden. 

To  which  will  be  added,  a  COMEDY,  in  two  acts, 
by  the  Author  of  the  School  for  Scandal,  called, 

The  Critic ;   or,  a  Tragedy  Rehearsed. 
With  a  Grand  SEA  ENGAGEMENT,  and  an  At 
tack  upon  Tilbury  Fort,  by  the  Spanish  Armada, 
with  the  total  Defeat  of  the  Fleet,  by  Fire-Ships, 
Cannon  and  Bombs,  from  the  Fort. 

The  Whole  to  conclude  with  a  COMIC  SKETCH, 
interspersed  with  Music,  called, 

DARBY'S  RETURN. 

With  an  Account  of  the  Countries  which  he  has 
travelled  through,  particularly  America. 

The  Parts  by  Mr.  Wignell,  Mr.  Biddle,  Mr.  Woolls, 
and  Mrs.  Morris. 

The  Public  are  respectfully  acquainted,  that  on 
this  particular  Occasion  the  Curtain  will  be  drawn 
up  at  Six  o'Clock  precisely.1 

The  "  Gazette  of  the  United  States  "  2  printed  a  para 
graph  on  this  performance  which  is  also  worth  quoting : 

THE  A  TRE—  JOHN  STREET. 

The    Entertainment   at    the    THEATRE,    on   Tuesday 
evening  last,  appeared,  by  the  repeated  plaudits,  to  give 

1  "  Daily  Advertiser,"  November  24,  1789. 

2  November  28,  1789. 


anfc 


39 


the  fullest  satisfaction  to  a  very  crouded  house:  The  selec 
tions  for  the  Evening  were  made  with  judgment  —  and 
animated  by  the  presence  of  the  illustrious  personages, 
who  honored  the  exhibition,  the  Players  exerted  their  best 
abilities.  The  Pieces  performed  were  the  TOY  —  The 
CRITIC,  and  a  new  Comic  Sketch,  entitled  DARBY'S 
RETURN.  The  latter  piece  is  the  production  of  the 
same  ingenious  hand,  who  hath  already  contributed  so 
much  to  the  entertainment  of  the  public  by  "  The  Father, 
or  American  Shandy  ism  "  ''DARBY'S  RETURN"  is  re 
plete  with  the  happiest  illusions  to  interesting  events,  and 
very  delicately  turned  compliments.  On  the  appearance 
of  THE  PRESIDENT,  the  audience  rose,  and  received  him 
with  the  warmest  acclamations  —  the  genuine  effusions 
of  the  hearts  of  FREEMEN. 

William  Dunlap,  the  author  of  "  Darby's  Return," 
thus  mentioned,  tells  an  amusing  anecdote  concern 
ing  the  President  and  this  "first  night"  of  Darby 
that  is  well  worth  repeating  : 

When  Wignell,  as  Darby,  recounts  what  had  befallen 
him  in  America,  in  New  York,  at  the  adoption  of  the 
Federal  Constitution,  and  the  inauguration  of  the  presi 
dent,  the  interest  expressed  by  the  audience  in  the  looks 
and  the  changes  of  countenance  of  this  great  man  became 
intense.  He  smiled  at  these  lines,  alluding  to  the  change 
in  the  government  — 

"There  too  I  saw  some  mighty  pretty  shows; 
A  revolution,  without  blood  or  blows, 
For,  as  I  understood,  the  cunning  elves, 
The  people  all  revolted  from  themselves." 


40       J©a£J)ington  anb 


But  at  the  lines  — 

"  A  man  who  fought  to  free  the  land  from  wo, 
Like  me,  had  left  his  farm,.a-soldiering  to  go  : 
But  having  gain'd  his  point,  he  had  like  me, 
Return'd  his  own  potato  ground  to  see. 
But  there  he  could  not  rest.     With  one  accord 
He's  called  to  be  a  kind  of  —  not  a  lord  — 
I  don't  know  what,  he's  not  a  great  man,  sure, 
For  poor  men  love  him  just  as  he  were  poor. 
They  love  like  a  father  or  a  brother, 

DERMOT. 
As  we  poor  Irishmen  love  one  another." 

The  president  looked  serious ;  and  when  Kathleen  asked, 
"  How  looked  he,  Darby  ?     Was  he  short  or  tall  ?  " 

his  countenance  showed  embarrassment,  from  the  expec 
tation  of  one  of  those  eulogiums  which  he  had  been 
obliged  to  hear  on  many  public  occasions,  and  which 
must  doubtless  have  been  a  severe  trial  to  his  feelings: 
but  Darby's  answer  that  he  had  not  seen  him,  because  he 
had  mistaken  a  man  "  all  lace  and  glitter,  botherum  and 
shine,"  for  him,  until  all  the  show  had  passed,  relieved 
the  hero  from  apprehension  of  further  personality,  and  he 
indulged  in  that  which  was  with  him  extremely  rare,  a 
hearty  laugh.1 

The  papers  advertised  another  "  benefit "  night  for 
November  30,  as  follows : 

Mr.  HENRY'S  Night. 
Being  positively  the  last  but  one  of  performing  this  season. 

iDunlap's  "History  of  the  American   Theatre,"  I,   160.     The 
whole  piece  is  reproduced  in  the  Appendix. 


anti 


41 


THEATRE. 

By  the  Old  American  Company, 
This  Evening,  the  3oth  inst.  will  be  presented, 

(By  particular  Desire) 
An  Opera,  or,  Dramatic  Romance,  called, 

CYMON  and  SYLVIA, 

Or,  Love  and  Magic. 

With  a  Grand  Procession  of  knights  of  the  different  orders 

of  chivalry,  shepherds  and  shepherdesses  of 

Arcadia,  Cymon  and  Sylvia  in  a 

Triumphal  Car,  &c.  &c. 
In  Act  5th,  will  be  introduced  the  original  scene  of  the 

SINKING  of  the  BLACK  TOWER. 
End  of  the  4th  Act,  Hippesly's  Drunken  Man, 

By  Mr.  Henry, 
End  of  the  Play,  (by  particular  desire,)  the  second  time, 

A  MONODY, 
Or,  Eulogium  on  the  American  Chiefs  who  fell  in  the 

Cause  of  Freedom. 

To  make  mankind  in  conscious  virtue  bold, 
Live  o'er  each  scene,  and  be  what  they  behold.  —  Pope. 

The  Recitation  and  vocal  parts,  (as  the  Genius  of  Columbia) 

By  Mrs.  Henry. 

To  which  will  be  added,  a  Comedy,  in  two  Acts,  the  latest 

production  of  the  Author  of  the  Poor  Soldier,  and 

Twenty  five  other  pieces,  as  performing  at 

the  Hay  Market  London,  with  un 

common  applause,  called, 

The  PRISONER  at  LARGE, 
Or,  The  Humours  of  Killarney. 


42       f©agf)in0ton  anb 


Mr.  Henry  respectfully,  informs  the  public,  that  his 
late  benefit  having  amounted  but  to  a  trifle,  over  the  ex- 
pences,  he  has  relinquished  it,  by  the  advice  of  his  Friends, 
and  requests  their  patronage  on*this  occasion. 

The  Doors  will  be  opened  at  half  after   Five,  and   the 
Curtain  drawn  up  precisely  at  half  after  Six  o'clock.1 

Of  this  performance  Washington  wrote  :  "  Went  to 
the  Play  in  the  evening,  and  presented  tickets  to  the 
following  persons,  viz :  Doctr.  Johnson  and  lady,  Mr. 
Dalton  and  lady,  the  Chief  Justice  of  the  United 
States  and  lady,  Secretary  of  War  and  lady,  Baron  de 
Steuben  and  Mrs.  Green."  According  to  the  "  Ga 
zette,"2  "The  THEATRE  was  unusually  crouded  on 
Monday  Evening  —  The  Campaign  bids  fair  to  close 
very  much  to  the  satisfaction  of  the  Old  American 
Company  —  Recent  exertions  have  in  a  peculiar  man 
ner  contributed  to  their  success.  Sat  verbam,  &c." 
Interesting  relics  of  this  particular  "  theatre  party  "  are 
Washington's  invitation  to  Chief  Justice  Jay  and  the 
latter's  reply : 

The  President  of  the  United  States  presents  his  best 
compliments  to  the  Chief  Justice  of  the  United  States  and 
his  lady,  and  encloses  them  tickets  for  the  theatre  this 
evening. 

As  this  is  the  last  night  the  President  proposes  visiting 
the  theatre  for  the  season,  he  cannot  deny  himself  the 
gratification  of  requesting  the  company  of  the  Chief  Jus 
tice  and  his  Lady ;  altho'  he  begs  at  the  same  time  that 
they  will  consider  this  invitation  in  such  a  point  of  view  as 

1 "  Daily  Advertiser,"  November  30,  1789. 
2  December  2,  1789. 


anfc 


43 


not  to  feel  themselves  embarrassed,  in  the  smallest  de 
gree,  upon  the  occasion,  if  they  have  any  reluctance  to 
visiting  the  theatre ;  for  the  President  presents  the  tickets 
as  to  his  friends  who  will  act  as  most  agreeable  to  their 
feelings,  knowing  thereby  that  they  will  meet  the  wishes 
of  the  person  who  invites  them. 
Monday,  November  3oth,  1789. 

The  Chief  Justice  of  the  United  States  and  Mrs.  Jay 
esteem  themselves  honoured  and  obliged  by  the  Presi 
dent's  invitation,  which  they  accept  with  pleasure,  and  by 
his  delicate  attention  to  their  embarrassment,  which  he 
had  reason  to  think  probable,  but  which  ceased  with  all 
questions  between  government  and  the  theatre. 

3oth  November,  1789. 

This  performance  was  not  merely  the  last  night  of 
the  season,  but  was  also  the  last  play  seen  by  Washing 
ton  in  New  York ;  before  the  theatre  was  reopened, 
the  seat  of  government  had  been  removed  to  Philadel 
phia,  and  after  its  departure  Washington  never  again 
visited  the  city.  George  Washington  Parke  Custis, 
the  grandson  of  Mrs.  Washington,  in  his  "  Recollec 
tions,"  !  writes  of  this  period :  "  In  New  York,  the  play 
bill  was  headed,  ;  By  particular  desire/  when  it  was 
announced  that  the  president  would  attend.  On  those 
nights  the  house  would  be  crowded  from  top  to  bot 
tom,  as  many  to  see  the  hero  as  the  play.  Upon  the 
president's  entering  the  stage-box  with  his  family,  the 
orchestra  would  strike  up  '  The  President's  March ' 
(now  '  Hail  Columbia '),  composed  by  a  German 
named  Feyles,  in  '89,  in  contradistinction  to  the  march 
i P.  368. 


44       IDastiington  anti  Ci)e  Cfiratrc. 

of  the  Revolution,  called  'Washington's  March.' 
The  audience  applauded  on  the  entrance  of  the  presi 
dent,  but  the  pit  and  gallery  w.ere  so  truly  despotic  in 
the  early  days  of  the  republic,  that  so  soon  as  '  Hail 
Columbia'  had  ceased,  'Washington's  March'  was 
called  for  by  the  deafening  din  of  an  hundred  voices 
at  once,  and  upon  its  being  played,  three  hearty  cheers 
would  rock  the  building  to  its  base." 

One  further  dramatic  incident  that  occurred  in  New 
York,  probably  during  the  winter  of  1790,  when  the 
theatre  was  not  open,  and  which  should  not  be  omitted, 
is  told  of  by  William  A.  Duer.  "  I  was  not  only  fre 
quently  admitted,"  he  writes,  "  to  the  presence  of  this 
most  august  of  men,  in  propria  persona,  but  once  had 
the  honor  of  appearing  before  him  as  one  of  the  drama 
tis  personae  in  the  tragedy  of  Julius  Caesar,  enacted 
by  a  young  '  American  Company  '  (the  theatrical  corps 
then  performing  in  New  York  being  called  the  '  Old 
American  Company '),  in  the  garret  of  the  Presidential 
mansion,  where  before  the  magnates  of  the  land  and  the 
elite  of  the  city,  I  performed  the  part  of  Brutus  to  the 
Cassius  of  my  old  school-fellow,  Washington  Custis." 

Yet  one  more  link  between  Washington  and  the 
drama  at  this  time  is  his  subscription  to  the  publica 
tion  of  Royal  Tyler's  play  of  "The  Contrast,"  his 
name  heading  the  list.  Wignell's  note  to  the  Presi 
dent,  sending  him  copies  of  the  book,  is  still  pre 
served,  and  reads  :  "  Mr.  Wignell,  with  the  utmost 
respect  and  deference,  has  the  Honor  of  transmitting 
to  the  President  of  the  United  States  two  copies  of 
the  Contrast.  Philadelphia,  May  22nd  1790." 


V 


-1 

1 


v 


a 


> 


!^ 

N 


LIST 


o  P 


SUBSCRIBERS, 


HE  PreGdent  of  the  United  States. 


Roger  Alden,  Efq.  New-York,  2  copies. 
Samuel  Anderfon,  Efq. 
Mr.  Henry  Anderfon. 
Mr.  George  Arnold. 

Mr.  W.  Alexander,  Philadelphia. 
Mr.  Jofeph  Anthony. 
Mr.  Thomas  P.  Anthony. 

Alexander  Aikman,  Efq.  Ifland  of  Jamaica,  20  copies* 

B 

J.  Barrell,  Efq.  Bofton. 

Dr.  Richard  Bayley,  New- York. 
William  Banyer,  Efq. 
Mr.  George  N.  Bleecker. 
George  Bond,  Efq. 

Washington's  subscription  to  WignelFs  edition  of 

Royal  Tyler's  "Contrast." 
From  copy  in  possession  of  Mr.  S.  P.  Avery. 
9 


ant)  Clje  Cfjcatre.      45 


With  the  transfer  of  the  government  to  Philadel 
phia,  the  Old  American  Company  began  a  season  in 
that  city.  "  This  was  probably  agreeable  to  President 
Washington,  who  was  fond  of  the  theatre  and  fre 
quently  occupied  the  east  stage-box,  which  was  fitted 
up  expressly  for  his  reception.  Over  the  front  of  the 
box  was  the  United  States  coat-  of-  arms  and  the  in 
terior  was  gracefully  festooned  with  red  drapery.  The 
front  of  the  box  and  the  seats  were  cushioned.  Ac 
cording  to  John  Durang,  Washington's  reception  at 
the  theatre  was  always  exceeding  formal  and  ceremo 
nious.  A  soldier  was  generally  posted  at  each  stage- 
door  ;  four  soldiers  were  placed  in  the  gallery  ;  a  mili 
tary  guard  attended.  Mr.  Wignell,  in  a  full  dress  of 
black,  with  his  hair  elaborately  powdered  in  the  fashion 
of  the  time  and  holding  two  wax  candles  in  silver 
candlesticks,  was  accustomed  to  receive  the  President 
at  the  box-door  and  conduct  Washington  and  his 
party  to  their  seats.  Even  the  newspapers  began  to 
take  notice  of  the  President's  contemplated  visits  to 
the  theatre."  As  an  example,  the  "  Pennsylvania 
Journal"  of  January  5,  1791,  announced:  "We  hear 
that  the  President  of  the  United  States  will  honour 
the  Theatre  with  his  presence,  this  evening,"  and  ad 
vertised  that  : 

At  the  Theatre  in  Southwark 

This  Evening  January  5  A  Comedy  called 

THE  SCHOOL  FOR  SCANDAL 

Dancing  by  Mr.  Durang 

To  which  is  added,  a  Comedy  in  two  Acts,  called 
The  Poor  Soldier. 


4  6      I©a£l)ingt0n  anb 


Only  three  days  later,  so  the  diary  of  Jacob  Hiltz- 
heimer  states  :  "At  1  1  o'clock  the  members  of  Con 
gress  and  the  Assembly  attended  a  concert  of  the 
Lutheran  Church  on  Fourth  Street.  The  President 
of  the  United  States  with  his  lady  were  present."1 

During  the  season  of  1792,  on  June  5,  Dunlap's 
"  American  Daily  Advertiser  "  informed  its  readers 
that  :  "  We  have  authority  to  inform  the  Public,  that 
the  PRESIDENT  of  the  UNITED  STATES  intends 
to  honor  the  Theatre  with  his  Presence  this  Evening." 
In  the  same  paper  the  performance  was  advertised  : 

For  the  Benefit  of  Mons.  Placide. 

BY  AUTHORITY. 
By  the  Old  American  Company,  At  the  Theatre  in 

Southwark. 
This  Evening,  June  5,  Will  be  presented  a  COMEDY, 

Called  - 

The  Beaux  Stratagem. 

End  of  the  Play,  DANCING    on   the  TIGHT    ROPE, 
By  Monsieur  Placide  and  the  Little  Devil. 

Some  months  later  Washington  attended  what  the 
"  Pennsylvania  Journal  "  advertised  as  : 

By  Authority, 

By  the  Old  American  Company, 
At  the  Theatre  in  South-wark, 
This  Evening,  November  14, 
Will  be  presented  (by  particular  desire)  A  Comic  Opera 

called,  The 
Maid  of  the  Mill. 

1  P.  166. 


47 


To  which  will  be  added,  A  Musical  Farce,  called,  The 

Romp 

Or,  A  Cure  for  the  Spleen. 

Places  in  the  Boxes  may  be  had  at  the  box  office  next  door 
to  the  Theatre,  from  ten  to  one  every  day,  Sundays 

excepted, 
and  on  days  of  performance  from  three  to  five, 

P.  M.  where 

also  Tickets  may  be  had,  and  at  Mr.  Bradford's  book-store. 

The  proprietors  respectfully  request  that  their  friends  and 

patrons  will  supply  themselves  with  Tickets,  as  the 

door-keepers 

are  in  the  most  particular  manner  prohibited  from  receiving 

money  —  Boxes  seven  shillings  and  six  pence;  Pitt  five 

shillings  ;  Gallery,  three  shillings  and  nine  pence.1 

The  "  Federal  Gazette"  of  the  lyth,  in  its  article  on 
the  plays  given,  declared  that  "  When  Mr.  Hodgkin- 
son  as  Lord  Aimworth  exhibited  nobleness  of  mind  in 
his  generosity  to  the  humble  miller  and  his  daughter, 
Patty;  when  he  found  her  blessed  with  all  the  quali 
ties  that  captivate  and  endear  life,  and  knew  that  she 
was  capable  of  adorning  a  higher  sphere;  when  he 
had  interviews  with  her  upon  the  subject  in  which 
was  painted  the  amiableness  of  an  honorable  passion  ; 
and  after  his  connection,  when  he  bestowed  his  bene 
factions  on  the  relatives,  etc.,  of  the  old  miller,  the 
great  and  good  Washington  manifested  his  approba 
tion  of  this  interesting  part  of  the  opera  by  the  tribute 
of  a  tear.  Nor  was  his  approbation  withheld  in  the 
afterpiece  when  Mrs.  Hodgkinson  as  Priscilla  Tomboy, 

1"  Pennsylvania  Journal  and  Weekly  Advertiser,"  Wednesday, 
November  14,  1792. 


anb 


and  Mr.  Prigmore  as  Young  Cockney,  played  truly  up 
to  nature.  The  humorous  scenes  unfolded  in  this  piece, 
being  acted  to  the  life,  received  the  approving  smiles 
of  our  President,  whose  plaudits  they  have  studiously 
endeavored  and,  we  hope,  will  endeavor  to  merit." 
During  the  season  of  1793  there  was  an  interruption 
in  theatrical  performances  in  Philadelphia,  due  first  to 
the  split  of  the  Old  American  Company,  and  the  conse 
quent  journey  to  England  by  Wignell  to  organize  his 
troop,  and  secondly  to  the  outbreak  of  the  fever, 
which  drove  every  one  who  could  leave  from  the  city. 
During  this  interregnum  a  substitute  to  the  theatre, 
so  far  as  Washington  was  concerned,  was  Ricketts' 
circus.  On  April  24,  1793,  Hiltzheimer  notes  in  his 
diary  that :  "  After  dinner  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Barge  and 
my  three  daughters  went  to  Rickett's  circus.  General 
Washington  and  family  were  present."  The  same 
writer  again  records  that  on  July  13  he  "  went  to  see 
Mr.  Ricketts  ride,  and  saw  there  the  President  and 
his  lady." 1  Concerning  this  especial  performance  the 
"  General  Advertiser  "  states  : 

The  benefit  to  the  poor,  last  Saturday  (July  13),  by 
Mr.  Ricketts,  produced  430  dollars,  which  is  intended  as 
a  beginning  for  establishing  a  Fund,  to  be  placed  in  the 
hands  of  the  Corporation,  for  the  purpose  of  laying  in 
Fire-Wood,  to  be  distributed  in  the  winter  to  such  poor 
families  as  may  require  it.  The  appearance  of  the  Presi 
dent  of  the  United  States,  with  his  family,  amongst  his 
fellow-citizens,  always  adds  to  the  satisfaction  we  receive 
from  those  innocent  public  amusements,  and  it  was  ren- 
i  Pp.  190,  192. 


3©a$)hi0ton  anti  %$t  Cljcatre*      49 


dered  particularly  agreeable  by  a  handsome  compliment, 
very  genteely  tho'  indirectly,  paid  by  Mr.  Ricketts,  who 
being  obliged  in  the  middle  of  the  performance  to  drink  a 
glass  of  wine,  was  required  by  one  of  his  people  to  give  a 
toast :  He  instantly  drank  off  a  bumper  to  the  health  of 
The  Man  of  the  People.  This  operated  like  electricity,  in 
producing  a  general  clap  of  applause,  accompanied  by  a 
huzza  from  every  part  of  the  Circus. 

Of  this  incident  Jefferson  tells  in  his  "  Ana  "  a  cu 
rious,  but  wholly  untrustworthy  anecdote.  "  Lear 
said  he  no  longer  ago  than  yesterday  expressed  to  the 
President  his  suspicions  of  the  artifices  of  that  party 
[Federalist]  to  work  on  him.  He  mentd.  the  follow 
ing  fact  as  proof  of  their  writing  in  the  character  of 
their  adversaries.  To  wit,  the  day  after  the  little  inci 
dent  of  Richet's  toasting  <  the  man  of  the  people  '  (see 
the  gazettes)  Mrs.  Washington  was  at  Mrs.  Powel's, 
who  mentd.  to  her  that  when  the  toast  was  given 
there  was  a  good  deal  of  disapprobation  appeared  in 
the  audience,  &  that  many  put  on  their  hats  and  went 
out :  on  inquiry  he  had  not  found  the  fact  true,  and 

yet  it  was  put  into 's  paper,  &  written  under  the 

character  of  a  republican,  tho'  he  is  satisfied  it  is  alto 
gether  a  slander  of  the  monocrats.  He  mentd.  this 
to  the  Presidt."1 

In  connection  with  this  fondness  for  the  circus,  it 
is  pleasant  to  record  a  speech  of  Ricketts,  as  quoted 
by  Custis.  He  "  used  to  say,  '  I  delight  to  see  the 
general  ride,  and  make  it  a  point  to  fall  in  with  him 
when  I  hear  that  he  is  abroad  on  horseback;  his 

iFord's  "  Writings  of  Jefferson,"  I,  245. 


50      J©a$)higton  anb  €i)e  Cfjeatre. 

seat  is  so  firm,  his  management  so  easy  and  graceful, 
that  I,  who  am  a  professor  of  horsemanship,  would  go 
to  him  and  learn  to  ride.' "  In  this  the  circus-master 
but  echoed  contemporary  opinion,  for  Colonel  Hum 
phreys  asserted  that  "  all  those  who  have  seen  Gen 
eral  Washington  on  horseback,  at  the  head  of  his 
army,  will  doubtless  bear  testimony  with  the  author 
that  they  never  saw  a  more  graceful  or  dignified  per 
son  " ;  and  Jefferson  said  of  him  that  he  was  "  the  best 
horseman  of  his  age,  and  the  most  graceful  figure  that 
could  be  seen  on  horseback." 

In  March,  1794,  Washington's  ledger1  once  more 
records  the  items  of  his  theatrical  expenditures,  the 
entries  being  made  by  his  secretary.  In  connection 
with  each  item,  the  advertisement  of  the  performance, 
from  Bache's  "  General  Advertiser,"  is  added. 

"  3d.  Do  Pd.  by  mr.  Lewis  for  8  Seats  in  the  Theatre 
by  the  Presidents  order  $8." 

NEW  THEATRE. 
THIS    DAY   EVENING,  March  5, 
Will  Be  Presented  a  Tragedy  (never  per 
formed  here)  called 
THE  CARMELITE. 
Saint  Valori,  Mr.  Fennell, 

Lord  Hilderbrand,         Mr.  Whitlock, 
Lord  De  Courci,  Mr.  Green, 

Montgomeri,  Mr.  Cleveland. 

Gyfford,  Mr.  Harwood, 

Fitz  Allen,  Mr.  Francis, 

Raymond,  Mr.  Warrell, 

Matilda,  Mrs.  Whitlock. 

1  In  the  possession  of  Mr.  William  F.  Havemeyer,  of  New  York. 


IO 


THE 

BATTLE  OF  BROOKLYN, 

A 

FARCE 

O    F 
TWO          ACTS; 

As    IT    WAS    PERFORMED    ON 

LONG     ISLAND, 

On  TUESDAY  the  2;thDay  of  AUGUST,    1776, 
By  the  REPRESENTATIVES  of  the  TYRAWTJ  of 

AMERICA 

ASSEMBLED   AT   PHILADELPHIA. 


For  as  a  Flea,  that  goes  to  bed, 
Lies  *iuitb  bts  tail  ako-ve  his  Lead ' . 
So  m  th'n  /c  ngrel  Stale  of  ours, 
*Thc  rabble  are  the  fupreme  f>cvjrs -y 
Wbo*-ve  kors*J  us  cm  their  Macks  y   io  Jheiv  us 
A  jadijb  trick*  at  lafty  And  thfo-uj  ui. 

HuDIER  A5. 


N     E     W  -  Y     O     R     K  : 

PRINTED  for  J.  RIVINGTON,  in  the  Year  of  the 
KEBZLLION.     1776. 


anfc  3Ei)e  3Tfjeatre,      51 


After  the  Play  a  Scots  Pastoral  Dance, 
called 

The  CALEDONIAN  FROLIC. 

To  which  will  be  added,  a  Farce,  in  two 
acts,  called 

THE  SPOILED  CHILD. 

Little  Pickle,  Mrs.  Marshall, 

Old  Pickle,  Mr.  Finch, 

Tag,  Mr.  Francis, 

John,  Mr.  Blisset, 

Thomas,  Mr.  Darley,  jun. 

Miss  Pickle,  Mrs.  Shaw, 

Maria,  Mrs.  Cleveland, 

Margery,  Mrs.  Bates, 

Susan,  Miss  Willems. 

fi3T  Ladies  and  Gentlemen  are  requested  to  send  their 
servants  to  the  Box-Office,  the  day  after  the  performance, 
for  any  thing  which  they  may  leave  in  the  boxes.  Several 
things  are  now  deposited  there,  which  will  be  delivered 
by  Mr.  Franklin,  on  application. 

*#*  As  inconveniences  to  the  public  have  arisen  from  the 
Box  book  being  opened  on  the  days  of  performance  only, 
in  future  attendance  will  be  given  at  the  office  in  the 
theatre  every  day  from  ten  till  one,  and  on  the  days  of 
performance  from  ten  till  three  o'clock  in  the  afternoon. 
Applications  for  Boxes  it  is  respectfully  requested  may  be 
addressed  to  Mr.  Franklin,  at  the  Box-Office. 

Tickets  to  be  had  at  the  office  near  the  Theatre,  at  the 
corner  of  Sixth  street  &  at  Carr  &  Co's  Musical  Reposi 
tory,  No.  122,  Market-street. 

BOXES,  one  dollar;  PITT,  three  quarters  of  a  dollar; 
GALLERY,  half  a  dollar. 


52       i©a$)ington  anb 


The  doors  will  be  opened  at  five,  and  the  performance 
to  begin  at  6  o'clock  precisely. 

No  places  can  be  let  in  the  side  boxes  for  a  less  number 
than  eight,  nor  any  places  retained  after  the  first  act. 

Ladies  and  Gentlemen  are  requested  to  send  their  ser 
vants  to  keep  places,  at  half  an  hour  past  4  o'clock,  and 
direct  them  to  withdraw,  as  soon  as  the  company  are 
seated,  as  they  cannot  on  any  account  be  permitted  to  re 
main  in  the  Boxes. 

N.  B.  No  money  or  tickets  to  be  returned,  nor  any  per 
son  admitted  on  any  account  whatsoever  behind  the  scenes. 

The  managers  request,  to  prevent  confusion,  servants  may 
be  ordered  to  set  down  and  take  up  with  the  horses'  heads 
towards  the  Schuylkill,  and  drive  off  by  Seventh  street. 

"  i  ith.  Do.  pd.  for  8  seats  in  the  New  Theatre  by 
the  President's  order.  $8. " 

NEW  THEATRE. 

TO-MORROW  EVENING,  March  12, 

Will  Be  Presented  a  Tragedy, 

called 

DOUGLAS. 

To  which  will  be  added  a  Comic  Opera  in  two 

acts  (by  the  author  of  the  Poor  Soldier) 

called 

THE  FARMER. 

Books  of  the  Songs  to  be  had  at  the  Theatre:   Price  one 
eighth  of  a  dollar. 

"  1 5th.  Contgt  Exps.  delivd  mr  Lewis  to  buy  8  play 
tickets,  by  order  of  the  President  $8." 


attfc 


53 


NEW  THEATRE. 
THIS  EVENING,  Saturday,  March  15, 

Will  Be  Presented  a  Comedy, 
called 

EVERY  ONE  HAS  HIS  FAULT. 


Lord  Norland, 

Sir  Robert  Ramble, 

Mr.  Solus, 

Mr.  Harmony, 

Captain  Irwin, 

Mr.  Placid, 

Hammond, 

Porter, 

Edward, 

Lady  Eleanor  Irwin, 

Mrs.  Placid, 

Miss  Spinster, 

Miss  Wooburn, 


Mr.  Whitlock, 
Mr.  Chalmers, 
Mr.  Morris, 
Mr.  Bates, 
Mr.  Fennell, 
Mr.  Moreton, 
Mr.  Green, 
Mr.  Warrell, 
Mrs.  Marshall, 
Mrs.  Whitlock, 
Mrs.  Rowson, 
Mrs.  Bates, 
Mrs.  Morris. 


The  EPILOGUE  by  Mrs.  Whitlock. 
To  which  will  be  added  an  OPERA,  called 


ROSINA. 


Belville, 

Captain  Belville, 

William, 

Rustic, 

1st.  Irishman, 

2d.  Irishman, 

Rosina, 

Dorcas, 

Phoebe, 


Mr.  Marshall, 
Mr.  Moreton, 
Mr.  Francis, 
Mr.  Warrell, 
Mr.  Green, 
Mr.  Blisset, 
Mrs.  Warrell, 
Mrs.  Bates, 
Miss  Broadhurst. 


54       3Ba$)in0ton  atifc  €f)c  CJjeatre, 


With  the  original  overture  and  accompaniments  composed 

by  Shield. 

The  Scenes  designed  and  executed  by  Mr.  Milbourne. 
Books  of  the  Songs  to  be  had  at  the  Theatre :  Price  one- 
eighth  of  a  dollar. 

"  24th.  Contgt.  Exps.  delivd  mr  Lewis  by  the  Presi 
dent's  order  to  buy  8  tickets  New  Theatre  $8.00." 

NEW  THEATRE. 

In  aid  of  a  Fund,  about  to  be  established  for 
the  relief  or  redemption  of  American  Citi 
zens,  Captives  in  Algiers, 

THIS  EVENING,  March  24, 

Will  Be  Performed  a  Comedy, 
called 

EVERY  ONE  HAS  HIS  FAULT. 

Lord  Norland,  Mr.  Whitlock, 
Sir  Robert  Ramble,       Mr.  Chalmers, 

Mr.  Solus,  Mr.  Morris, 

Mr.  Harmony,  Mr.  Bates, 

Captain  Irwin,  Mr.  Fennell, 

Mr.  Placid,  Mr.  Moreton, 

Hammond,  Mr.  Green, 

Porter,  Mr.  Warrell, 

Edward,  Mrs.  Marshall, 
Lady  Eleanor  Irwin,      Mrs.  Whitlock, 

Mrs.  Placid,  Mrs.  Rowson, 

Miss  Spinster,  Mrs.  Bates, 

Miss  Wooburn,  Mrs.  Morris. 

The  EPILOGUE  by  Mrs.  Whitlock. 


anb  Clje  Cfjcatrc,      55 


Previous  to  the  Comedy  an  Occasional  Address. 
End  of  the  Comedy  a  characteristic  Pantomimical  Dance 

called 
THE    SAILOR'S   LANDLADY, 

or, 

JACK   IN   DISTRESS. 
Jack,  Mr.  Francis, 

Ned  Haulyard,       (with  a  new  song)  Mr.  Darley,  jun. 
Sailors,  Mesrs.  Warrel,  Blisset,  Warrell,  jun. 

Lee,  Bason,  and  De  Moulin; 
Lasses,  Mrs.  Cleveland,  Mrs.  Bates, 

Miss  Rowson,  and  Miss  Willems, 
Landlady,  Mr.  Rowson, 

Orange  Girl,  Mrs.  De  Marque. 

To  conclude  with  a  double  hornpipe,  by  Mr.  Francis  and 

Mrs.  De  Marque. 
To  which  will  be  added  a  Comic  Opera, 

called 

THE   POOR   SOLDIER. 
Capt.  Fitzroy,  Mr.  Darley, 

Father  Luke,  Mr.  Finch, 

Dermot,  Mr.  Darley,  jun. 

Patrick,  Mr.  Moreton, 

Darby,  Mr.  Wignell, 

Bagatelle,  (with  the  song)  Mr.  Marshall, 
Boy,  Master  J.  Warrel, 

Norah,  Miss  Broadhurst, 

Kathleen,  Miss  Willems. 

Those  ladies  and  gentlemen  who  have  requested  boxes 
for  the  comedy  of  "  Every  one  has  his  fault,"  are  respect 
fully  acquainted,  that  it  must  necessarily  be  laid  aside 
after  this  evening,  on  account  of  other  pieces  now  in 
preparation. 


anfc 


One  other  entry  in  Washington's  ledger  slightly 
akin  to  these  is:  March,  1794,  "24.  Contingt  Exps. 
pd.  for  2  tickets  for  Mrs.  Washington  and  Miss  Custis 
to  see  automaton  $2."  The  show  thus  seen  was  de 
scribed  in  the  "  General  Advertiser  "  as  follows : 


The  very  extraordinary  spectacle  that  is  exhibited  by 
Citizen  SANS  CULOTTE,  and  Mr.  L'ARISTOCRATE, 
having  been  received  with  the  applause  and  approbation 
of  the  Public,  the  author  of  these  singular  pieces  of  mech 
anism,  whilst  he  conceals  his  name,  gives  notice,  that  in 
tending  shortly  to  go  to  New  York,  this  curiosity  is  to  be 
displayed  every  day  without  intermission  before  his  de 
parture,  that  there  may  be  a  sufficient  opportunity  for  every 
one  to  enjoy  a  spectacle  so  rare,  and  such  as  never  before 
was  exhibited  on  this  continent.  These  two  artifical  men, 
who  are  of  the  ordinary  size  of  man,  perform  feats  of  dex 
terity  that  surpass  nature  itself:  they  are  set  at  one  end 
of  a  room,  entirely  by  themselves,  having  not  the  least 
connection  with  any  thing,  nor  any  person  near  them. 
When  they  are  to  be  put  in  motion,  a  person  that  attends 
does  no  more  than  wind  up  the  moving  springs  that  are 
contained  within  their  bodies :  they  then,  as  it  were  re 
ceive  life  by  degrees,  salute  the  company  and  seem  to 
rival  each  other  to  please  the  spectators  with  their  agility. 
Their  motions  are  formed  to  music,  and  they  dance  to 
many  airs,  Mr.  L'Aristocrate  excepted,  who  cannot  be 
prevailed  on  to  dance  to  the  Carmagnole  or  Ca-ira. 
These  curious  automatons,  or  artifical  men,  after  showing 
many  great  feats  of  their  activity  and  of  lofty  tumbling 
over  an  iron  bar  fixed  horizontally,  finish  their  labors  in 
leaping  a  somerset  backward  and  forward,  and  saluting 
the  company,  who,  as  the  author  of  this  extraordinary 


JDagtyington  anfc  €ty  Cijeatre,       57 

piece  of  mechanism  flatters  himself,  cannot  but  be  pleased 
with  the  whole  of  the  performance. 

This  spectacle  is  exhibited  under  the  ladies'  academy 
room  of  Mr.  Poor,  No.  9,  Cherry  alley,  between  Third 
&  Fourth  streets,  near  the  synagogue  and  the  sign  of  the 
White  Lamb.  Entrance  half  a  dollar.  It  begins  at 
seven  and  ends  about  eight  o'clock  in  the  evening. 

If  any  number  of  persons,  not  less  than  12,  should  de 
sire  to  see  this  curiosity  displayed  at  any  particular  hour, 
they  may  give  notice  to  the  person  who  attends ;  but  then 
each  person  is  to  pay  a  dollar. 

The  "Aurora"  for  December  4,  1794,  remarked: 
"  We  are  happy  in  announcing  to  the  public  that  the 
President  of  the  United  States  means  to  honor  the 
OLD  AMERICAN  COMPANY  with  his  presence 
at  the  THEATRE  this  evening."  This  performance 
was  advertised  in  the  same  issue  in  the  following 
words : 

Old  American  Company. 
THEATRE.— CEDAR  (or  South)  Street. 

LAST  NIGHT  THIS  SEASON. 

FOR  THE  BENEFIT  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  HALLAM. 

This  Evening,  Thursday,  December  4. 

Will  be  presented,  a  Comedy,  called 

THE  YOUNG  QUAKER; 

or  The  Fair  Philadelphian. 

Written  by  O'Keefe,  and  performed  in  London  with  the 
most  unbounded  applause. 

End  of  the  Play 
(by  particular  desire) 

the  Pantomime  Ballet  of  the  TWO  PHILOSOPHERS. 
ii 


58      i$a$)tnston  anb  €lje  ©fjeatre* 


To  which  will  be  added,  a  new  Musical  Piece,  called 
The  CHILDREN  in  the  Wood. 

The  MUSIC  by  Dt.  Arnold, 

with  additional  SONGS  by  Mr.  Carr. 

End  of  the  Farce,  Mr.   Martin  will  recite 

Dr.  Goldsmith's  celebrated  Epilogue  in  the  character  of 

Harlequin. 

The  whole  to  conclude  with  a 
LEAP  through  A  Barrel  of  FIRE. 

Not  till  February  29,  1796,  is  there  any  further 
evidence  as  to  the  President's  play-going.  On  that 
date  the  "  Gazette  of  the  United  States  "  notified  its 
patrons  that  "  We  are  informed  THE  PRESIDENT 
OF  THE  UNITED  STATES  intends  visiting  the 
Theatre  this  Evening;  and,  the  Entertainments  are 
by  his  particular  desire."  From  a  letter  of  John  Adams 
to  his  wife  it  is  further  learned  that:  "March  i.  — 
Yesterday  (February  29)  the  President  sent  his  car 
riage  for  me  to  go  with  the  family  to  the  theatre.  The 
Rage  and  the  Spoiled  Child  were  the  two  pieces.  It 
rained  and  the  house  was  not  full.  I  thought  I  per 
ceived  a  little  mortification.  Mr.  George  Steptoe 
Washington  and  his  fair  lady  were  with  us."  The 
advertisement  of  this  performance  read  : 

NEW  THEATRE  (north  side  of  Chestnut  above 

Sixth  Street)— 

By  Particular  Desire. 

On  MONDAY  EVENING,  February  29, 

Will  be  presented, 
A  celebrated  COMEDY 

(written  by  the  Author  of  the  Dramatist)  called 
THE  RAGE  ! 


THE       FALL 

O    F 

BRITISH  TYRANNY: 

• 
O    R, 

AMERICAN     LIBERTY 
TRIUMPHANT. 

THE     FIRST     CAMPAIGN. 

A  TRAGI-COMEDTop  FIVE  ACTS, 

AS  LATELY  PLANNED 

AT  THE  ROYAL  THEATRUM  PANDEMONIUM, 
AT  ST.  JAMES'S. 

THE  PRINCIPAL  PLACE  OF  ACTION  IN  AMERICA. 
PUBLISHED   ACCORDING   TO  ACT  OF  PARLIAMENT. 


Quis  furor  6  cives !  quae  tanta  licentia  ferri  ? 

Luc  AN.  lib.,  i.  ver.  8. 

What  blind,  detejied  madnefs  could  afford 
Such  horrid  licence  to  the  murdering  /word  ? 

ROWE. 


PHILADELPHIA: 

PRINTED  BY  STYNER  AND  CIST,  IN  SECOND-STREET. 
NEAR.  ARCH-STREET.     M  DCC  LXXVJ. 


anb 


59 


To  which  will  be  added, 
A  Farce  in  two  acts,  called 

THE  SPOILED  CHILD. 

The  Public  are  respectfully  informed,  that  the  Doors 
of  the  Theatre  will  open  at  a  quarter  after  FIVE  o'clock, 
and  the  Curtain  rise  precisely  at  a  quarter  after  six  — 
until  further  notice. 

The  final  visit  of  Washington  to  the  theatre  occurred 
on  February  27,  1797.  Of  this  genuine  "last  appear 
ance  "  Claypole's  "  American  Daily  Advertiser  "  an 
nounced  :  "  We  are  informed  that  the  President  of  the 
United  States  will  be  at  the  representation  of  the  new 
comedy  '  The  Way  to  get  Married/  this  evening,  at 
the  New  Theatre."  The  advertisement  of  the  plays 
in  the  same  paper  read : 

NEW  THEATRE. 

THIS  EVENING,  February  27. 

By  particular  desire, 

will  be  presented, 

the  last  new  Comedy. 

The  way  to  get  Married  ; 

after  the  comedy  the  comic  ballet 

Dermot  &>  Kathleen,  or  Animal  Magnetism. 

Five  days  later  the  President  retired  from  office, 
and  spent  the  remainder  of  his  life,  with  unimportant 
exceptions,  at  Mount  Vernon,  out  of  reach  of  what 
had  given  him  in  the  past  such  keen  enjoyment. 

In  Bernard's  "  Retrospection "  is  a  story  of  the 
actor's  meeting  with  Washington.  As  a  number  of 
the  circumstances  are  impossible  or  improbable,  it  is 


60      IBamton  anb 


presumably  as  wholly  apocryphal  as  is  so  much  else  of 
the  volume. 

Before  dropping  the  curtaiu,  a  glance  at  Washing 
ton's  library  should  be  taken.  It  is  to  find  little  dra 
matic  literature,  though  it  is  pleasant  to  discover  that 
despite  its  paucity,  the  great  American  possessed  a 
copy  of  the  greatest  playwright,  and  on  at  least  one 
occasion  quoted  from  him.  Otherwise,  the  already 
mentioned  "  Contrast,"  together  with  copies  of  Bick- 
erstaff  s  "  Lionel  and  Clarissa,"  Cumberland's  "  The 
Carmelite,"  and  Vittoria's  "  Bruto  Primo,"  are  the 
only  plays;  for  those  included  in  the  volumes  of  writ 
ings  of  Mercy  Warren  and  David  Humphreys  scarcely 
deserved  to  be  ranked  as  such.  One  volume,,  entered 
briefly  in  the  inventory  as  "  Plays,  etc.,"  is  not  in 
cluded,  and  may  have  somewhat  bettered  the  meagre 
collection.  The  ledger  for  1794,  too,  mentions  a  piece 
that  should  be  added  to  the  above:  "Mar.  i,  1794. 
pd.  for  the  Grecian  Daughter  (a  play)  for  Mrs.  Wash 
ington  $.20." 

Washington  died  on  December  14,  1799,  and  from 
one  end  of  the  land  to  the  other  memorial  services 
were  held  to  mark  the  nation's  loss.  In  this  the 
Theatre  bore  its  part,  and  the  memorial  performances 
it  gave  fittingly  close  this  outline.  The  following 
describes  that  given  by  the  theatre  in  Philadelphia : 

THE   THEATRE 

Last  Monday  evening  joined  in  the  public  testimony  of 
regret  for  the  loss  of  America's  hero.  The  house,  which 
was  "full  to  overflowing,"  displayed  a  scene  calculated  to 


anti  3c  Clcatrc,      61 


impress  the  mind  with  the  utmost  solemnity  and  sorrow. 
The  pillars  supporting  the  boxes  were  encircled  with  black 
crape,  the  chandeliers  were  decorated  with  the  insignia  of 
woe,  and  the  audience,  particularly  the  female  part,  ap 
peared  covered  with  the  badges  of  mourning.  About  7 
o'clock  the  band  struck  up  "WASHINGTON'S  march," 
after  which  a  solem  dirge  was  played,  when  the  curtain 
slowly  rising,  discovered  a  tomb  in  the  centre  of  the  stage, 
in  the  Grecian  style  of  architecture,  supported  by  trusses. 
In  the  centre  of  it  was  a  portrait  of  the  general,  encircled 
by  a  wreath  of  oaken  leaves ;  under  the  portrait  a  sword, 
shield,  and  helmet,  and  the  colors  of  the  United  States. 
The  top  was  in  the  form  of  a  Pyramid,  in  the  front  of 
which  appeared  the  American  Eagle,  weeping  tears  of 
blood  for  the  loss  of  her  General,  and  holding  in  her  beak 
a  scroll,  on  which  was  inscribed  "A  nation's  tears." 

The  sides  of  the  stage  were  decorated  with  black  ban 
ners,  containing  the  names  of  the  several  states  of  the 
union,  in  golden  letters,  over  which  mourning  trophies 
were  suspended.  A  monody  was  recited  by  Mr.  Wignell, 
accompanied  with  the  following  airs.1 

Airs  in  the  Monody. 

Air  I. 

SLOWLY  strike  the  solemn  bell, 
Nature  sound  thy  deepest  knell, 
Power  of  Music  !  touch  the  heart, 
Nature  there  will  do  her  part. 
God  of  melancholy  come  ! 
Pensive  o'er  the  Hero's  tomb, 
In  saddest  strains  his  loss  deplore, 
With  piercing  cries  rend  ev'ry  shore, 
For  WASHINGTON  is  now  no  more, 
l  "  The  Spectator,"  January  i,  1800. 


62       J©a£finton  anb 


Air  II. 

GLORY,  bring  thy  fairest  wreath, 
Place  it  on  thy  HERCt's  urn, 
MERCY,  in  soft  accents  breathe, 
He  never  made  this  bosom  mourn.1 
Ev'ry  virtue  here  attend 
Bending  o'er  his  sacred  earth  ; 
GRATITUDE  thy  influence  lend 
Make  us  feel  his  mighty  worth. 


Air  III. 

Hold  not  back  the  sacred  tear, 
Give  to  him  the  sigh  sincere, 

Who  living,  liv'd  for  all. 
Sorrow  take  the  solemn  hour  ! 
Prostrate  to  thy  melting  power, 

Let  humble  mortals  fall. 
Come  sable  Goddes,  take  the  soul 
Devoted  to  thy  dark  controul ; 
Come  take  our  hearts,  and  press  them  deep, 
Angels  may  joy,  but  man  must  weep. 

The  tragedy  of  the  Roman  Father,  which  concluded 
the  performances  of  the  evening,  gave  general  satisfaction. 

Even  more  elaborate  was  the  memorial  paid  him  by 
the  Thespians  of  New  York.  The  newspapers  an 
nounced  that  "  In  consequence  of  the  afflicting  intelli 
gence  of  the  death  of  General  Washington,  the  Theatre 
will  be  closed  for  the  ensuing  week."  With  its  re 
opening  on  December  3oth,  there  was  paid  to  Wash- 


anfc  Zfyc  Cfjcatre,       63 


ington's  memory  the  following  tribute,  which  was  de 
scribed  by  "  Crito  "  in  the  "  Spectator  "  of  January 
4,  1800,  as  follows: 

THEATRICAL  COMMUNICATION. 

Monday  evening  was  presented,  for  the  first 

time,  to  an  overflowing  house, 

The  ROBBERY, 

Translated  from  the  French  of  Monvel; 
With  the  after-piece  of 
The  SHIP-WRECK. 

About  6  o'clock  the  band  very  improperly  struck  up 
"Washington's  March;  "  it  was  executed  in  a  somewhat 
slow  and  lingering  manner,  but  Mr.  Hewit  should  cer 
tainly  have  remembered  that  no  alteration  in  the  mood 
can  ever  change  a  sharp  key  to  a  flat  one. 

In  about  20  minutes  the  encreasing  impatience  of  the 
audience  was  relieved,  by  the  curtains  drawing  up  ;  it 
arose  slowly  and  discovered  the  scenery  all  in  black,  with 
the  words, 

"MOURN, 

WASHINGTON  IS  DEAD," 
In  large  letters  painted  on  a  black  back  ground. 

"A  Monody  "was  now  spoken  by  Cooper;  he  came 
on,  with  a  bow  not  the  most  graceful  in  the  world,  but 
with  a  countenance  that  seemed  to  say,  "If  you  have 
tears  prepare  to  shed  them  now,"  and  in  truth  never  was 
an  audience  more  predisposed  to  harmonize  with  "  sorrows 
saddest  note."  His  tongue,  however,  soon  counteracted 
every  such  emotion,  for  he  began  to  speak  in  the  very 
tones  of  Mrs.  Melmoth,  artificial  and  declamatory,  ending 
12 


64      H9a£t)ingt0n  anti 


his  lines  with  a  full  cadence  of  voice,  exactly  in  the  man 
ner  of  that  actress  when  she  repeats  her  Black-bird  Elegy. 
Still  we  were  in  hopes  that  as  fye  went  on,  his  feelings 
would  have  got  the  better  of  this  school-boy  rehearsal  and 
have  enabled  or  rather  betrayed  him  to  do  the  poetry  a 
little  more  justice;  but  oh  !  pitiful  to  relate,  he  had  hardly 
exceeded  thirty  lines  when  "Vox  faucibus  haecit"  or  in 
plain  English,  his  words  stuck  in  his  throat,  and  he  lost 
all  power  of  recollecting  a  line  further,  we  do  not  say 
"  Steteruatque  comae,"  each  "particular  hair  stood  an 
end,"  for  the  gentleman  has  such  a  decent  share  of  what 
my  Lord  Chesterfield  calls  "modest  assurance,"  that 
when  every  one  in  the  house  blushes  for  him,  he  never 
blushes  for  himself.  He  edged  a  little  nearer  the  prompter, 
caught  his  cue  and  went  on  — stopt  again  —  moved  on  a 
word  —  stopt  again  —  the  ladies  cast  down  their  eyes  — 
he  caught  another  word,  and  went  on  —  stopt  again  — 
the  Pit  groaned  aloud,  and  a  small  hiss  began  to  issue 
from  the  gallery  —  when  some  good  honest  fellow  got  up 
and  clapped  his  hands,  which  encouraged  our  favorite 
Cooper  to  start  once  more,  and  to  go  quite  thro  the  piece, 
consisting  in  all,  perhaps  of  60  or  70  lines,  much  to  our 
own  as  well  as  his  relief.  To  add  that  he  pronounced  it 
very  ill,  after  the  above,  is,  we  presume,  unnecessary,  as 
no  man  can  ever  speak  with  propriety  and  effect,  whose 
whole  attention  is  constantly  occupied  in  the  sole  business 
of  recollection.  If  Mr.  Cooper's  sensibility  is  hurt  at  our 
remarks,  his  conscience  must  at  least  acquiesce  in  their 
justice,  for  how  will  he  excuse  it  to  us,  that  after  having 
had  the  Monody  in  his  possession  ten  days,  he  has  had 
the  unparrelled  assurance  to  present  himself  on  the  stage 
in  such  a  state  of  utter  dificiency,  as  to  call  up  the  sym 
pathetic  emotions  of  shame  in  a  whole  auditory  ?  If  what 
we  have  now  said  is  not  sufficient  to  reclaim  him,  perhaps 


VASHINGTON 

OU   LA    LIBERTY 

DU  NOUVEAU"  MONDE  , 

TRAGEDIE, 

En  quatre  Actes  5 
Par  M.  x>£ 


Representee  pour  la  premiere  fois    le  z 
juilht  1791  ,  surle  thedtre  de  la  Nation. 

Prix,   30    sols. 


A     PARIS, 

Chez  MAILLARD  D'ORIVELLE  ,  Libraire,  quai 
des  Augusuns,  N°    43  ,  au  Contrat  social. 

1701. 


anb  3Tl)e  Cljcatre*       65 


he  may  learn,  when  it  is  too  late,  that  he  is  not  so  firmly 
rooted  in  the  blind  affections  of  the  public  as  he  has  hith 
erto  persuaded  himself  to  believe. 

The  Monody  or  Recitation  animadverted  on  in  the 
preceding  criticism  was  quickly  published  in  the  press 
of  the  day,  accompanied  by  a  brief  explanation  to  the 
effect  that  "  The  author  of  the  Monody  published  yes 
terday  in  your  paper,  regrets  that  he  omitted  to  men 
tion  as  in  justice  to  Mr.  Cooper  (by  whom  it  was 
delivered  at  the  theatre)  he  ought  to  have  done,  that 
upwards  of  thirty  lines  were  added  anew  to  the  copy 
sent  to  the  press,  which  were  wanting  in  that  which 
was  prepared  for  the  stage."  As  thus  revised,  it  read  : 

MONODY. 

No  mimic  accents  now  shall  touch  your  ears, 

And  now  no  fabled  woe  demand  your  tears : 

No  Hero  of  a  visionary  age, 

No  child  of  poet's  phrenzy  walks  the  stage  ; 

'Tis  no  phantastic  fate  of  Queens  or  Kings, 

That  bids  your  sympathy  unlock  its  springs; 

This  woe  is  yours,  it  falls  on  every  head ; 

This  woe  is  yours,  for  WASHINGTON  IS  DEAD  ! 

No  passing  grief  it  is,  no  private  woe, 

That  bids  the  universal  sorrow  flow. 

You  are  not  call'd  to  view,  bereft  of  life, 

By  dread  convulsion  seized,  your  child  or  wife, 

To  view  a  parent's  feeble  lamp  expire ; 

But  WASHINGTON  IS  DEAD,  his  country's  Sire. 

Not  for  your  children's  friend,  your  tears  must  fall, 

For  WASHINGTON  IS  DEAD,  the  friend  of  all! 


66      J©a$)ington  anb  €lje  €fjeatre. 


Not  singly  we,  who  haunt  this  western  shore, 
Our  parent,  guardian,  guide,  and  friend  deplore ; 
Not  those  alone  who  breathe  this  ambient  air, 
Are  called  to  weep  at  this  illustrious  bier  ; 
Each  watery  bourne  of  this  great  globe  afar, 
Was  brightened  by  this  tutelary  star ; 
Each  future  age,  through  wide  extended  earth, 
Like  us,  may  triumph  in  his  hour  of  birth  ; 
Each  age  to  him  its  grateful  dues  may  pay, 
And  join  with  us  to  mourn  his  funeral  day. 

But  why  lament  the  close  of  his  career? 

There  is  no  cause  —  no  cause  that  asks  a  tear ; 

Fate  gives  to  mortal  life  a  narrow  span, 

And  he,  our  guide  and  friend,  was  still,  a  man. 

Triumphal  wreaths  far  rather  ought  to  wave, 

And  laureat  honors  bloom  around  his  grave : 

Far  rather  should  ascend  our  hymns  of  praise 

To  Heaven,  who  gave  him  health  and  length  of  days, 

Whose  arm  was  seen  amidst  the  deadly  fray, 

To  open  for  his  sword  victorious  way; 

Who  turn'd  aside  from  him  the  fateful  ball, 

And  bade  the  steel  on  meaner  crests  to  fall ; 

Who  gave  him  for  our  guide,  with  steadfast  eye, 

O'er  stormy  waves,  beneath  a  troublous  sky ; 

And  life  dispens'd  till  war's  loud  tempest  o'er, 

He  safely  steer'd  our  barque  to  peaceful  shore. 

'Twas  vain,  that,  rescued  from  a  tyrant's  hand, 
Sweet  liberty  consol'd  his  natal  land ; 
For  brief  her  stay  where  discord  breathes  her  spell 
And  not  on  hostile  bounds  she  deigns  to  dwell. 
In  wide  dissevered  realms  new  factions  grow, 
And  call  from  far,  or  procreate  the  foe. 


anb  Cfje  €fjcatre,       67 


War  springs  afresh  —  rekindled  flames  arise, 
And  back  the  ghastly  train  of  thraldom  hies; 
No  liberty,  no  life,  no  blest  repose, 
No  self  preserving  arts  his  country  knows, 
Till  joined  in  vassalage  to  sacred  laws, 
One  oracle  directs,  one  centre  draws; 
Till  all-embracing  policy  imparts 
Her  harmony  to  distant  motley  parts : 
Till  every  scatter' d  tribe  from  end  to  end 
Be  taught  in  forceful  unity  to  blend. 

Thus,  after  foes  subdued,  and  battles  done, 

The  kinder  task  was  his,  to  make  us  one; 

The  seeds  to  crush  with  his  pacific  hand, 

By  homebred  discord  scattered  through  the  land. 

'Twas  he,  the  darling  child  of  bounteous  Fate, 

That  rear'd  aloft  the  pillar  of  the  state: 

'Twas  he  that  fixed  upon  eternal  base, 

The  freedom,  peace  and  glory  of  his  race ; 

O  !  let  no  change,  thy  glorious  work  befall, 

Nor  death  betide,  till  death  betide  us  all ! 

Firm  may  it  stand,  though  compass'd  by  alarms, 

Though  broils  intestate  shake,  and  hostile  arms, 

Though  the  four  corners  of  the  world  combine 

Against  thy  sons,  the  victory  be  thine  ! 

Not  to  such  frail  and  mouldering  forms  we  trust, 

As  monumental  stone  and  ivory  bust; 

No  altars  to  thy  worship's  name  shall  burn, 

Nor  rest  thy  bones  in  consecrated  urn; 

No  sacrificial  scents  perfume  the  air, 

No  pilgrimage  be  made,  no  hymn  or  prayer: 

Thee,  in  our  country's  bliss,  our  eye  shall  trace ; 

Thee,  in  the  growing  good  of  all  our  race; 


68      UDa^lintott  anb 


Be  taught  by  thee,  when  hostile  bands  are  nigh, 

To  live  for  our  dear  country  and  to  die. 

A  fane,  thy  God  and  thee  befitting  best, 

NOTBUILTWITHHANDS,beraisedineverybreast. 

The  rites  be  thine  that  virtue  gives  and  claims, 

That  lift  thee  far  above  all  former  names  — 

A  place  below,  but  next  to  Deity, 

Our  hearts,  O  !  WASHINGTON,  assign  to  thee  ! 

Then  let  us  mourn,  let  every  voice  deplore, 
Our  country's  guardian,  parent,  now  no  more  ! 
But  let  us  more  exult  that  bounteous  Fate 
Gave  to  his  vital  breath  so  long  a  date ; 
That,  born  upon  the  eve  of  social  strife, 
He  lived  to  give  us  liberty  and  life. 
Rise  all  our  praise,  and  all  our  joys  awake, 
That  distant  lands  the  auspicious  boon  partake; 
That  Freedom's  banner  was  by  him  unfurled 
To  bless  each  future  age  and  either  world. 

This  memorial  of  the  New  York  theatre  to  our  first 
citizen  is  interesting  in  more  senses  than  one.  The 
director  of  the  theatre  was  then  William  Dunlap,  who 
may  well  be  styled  the  first  American  playwright,  and 
the  writer  of  the  "  Monody  "  was  Charles  Brockden 
Brown,  our  first  American  novelist. 

The  New  York  theatre  was  kept  draped  in  mourn 
ing  from  the  memorial  performance  of  December 
30,  until  Washington's  Birthday,  February  22,  when 
it  was  once  again  closed  out  of  respect  to  his  mem 
ory.  From  that  day  to  this,  the  theatre  has  done 
more  than  its  share  in  celebrating  the  Birthday  of 
George  Washington. 


APPENDIX 


DARBY's   RETURN. 

A     COMIC     SKETCH. 

S  PERFORMED  A?  THE  NEW-YORK  THEATRE, 

NOVEMBER,    24,    1789, 
FOR  THE  BENEFIT  OF  Mr.  WIGNELL. 

WRITTEN  BY  WILLIAM   DUNLAP. 


NEW-YORK: 

PRINTED  BY  HODGE,  ALLEN.  AND  CAMPBELL. 

And  Sold  at  their  refpetfive   Bookflores, 
and  by  BERRY  AND  ROGERS. 

M.DCC.  LXXXIJC. 


ro  r#£  PUB LIC. 

THE  following  Dramatic  trifle  was  not  written 

for  publication,  but  merely  toferve  the  Gentleman  on 

wbofe  night  it  was  performed. — The  Author  is  fully 

fenfible,   that  the  plea  of  its  being  a  hajly  Production 

is  no  excufefor  obtruding  on  the  Public  an  incorreft 

Compojition  ;  but,  being  importuned  by  his  Friends, 

he  has  confented  to  throw  this  Child  of  the  Day  on  the 

protection  of  the  World,  encouraged  by  the  flattering 

reception  it  received  at  the  Theatre,  and  the  candour 

once  before Jhewn  to  its  Author. 

CP  The  lines  marked  with  inverted  comma's,  were 
omitted  in  the  reprefentation. 


CHARACTERS. 

MEN. 

Darby,  .  -  Mr.  WIG  NELL. 

Dermot,  -  -          Mr.  WOOLLS. 

Clown,  -  Mr.  RYAN. 

Father  Luke,  -        -          Mr.  BIDDLZ, 

WOMEN. 

Old  Woman,          *  -         Mrs.  HAMILTON. 

Kathleen,  -  -  Mrs.  MORRIS. 


DARBY'S     RETURN. 


SCENE. 

The  Village  of  Carton. 

AFTER  fome  airs  from  the  Poor  Soldier,    the 
curtain  draws,  and  difcovers  Darby,  furround- 
ed  by  Father  Luke,  Dermot,  Kathleen,  and  villagers 
— They  huzza  and  advance. 

AIR. — "  What  true  Felicity." 
FATHER  LUKE. 

Come  neighbours  come,  come,  all  around  me  come, 

Let's  'welcome  home, 

Tbisjilly  loon, 

That's  wandering  been, 

Thro*  many  a  feene, 
And  left  his  own  village  to  mourn  him. 

KATHLEEN. 

Now  Darby  we're  glad  to  fee  you, 
Good  wijhes .have  ever  been  wi'  you, 

Since  Dermot  is  mine, 

My  friend/hip  is  thine  ; 
No  longer  good  Darby  I' II flout  you. 

CHORUS  of  Villagers. 

Now  Darby  we're  glad  to  fee  you, 
Good  wijhes  have  ever  been  wi'  you, 

Now 


D  A  R  B  Y's    RETURN. 

Now  where  have  you  been  * 
And  what  have  you  feen  ? 
Iprythee  good  fellow  now  tell  us  ? 

FATHER  LUKE. 

Now  Darby  let's  hear  oftSe  many  fears, 

Ton  got  in  wars  ; 

The  man  who  dares 

In  battle  to  mix, 

'Tis  feven  to  fix, 

But  he'd  make  agoodfeive  ever  after. 

DARBY. 

Oh  truft  me  no  hit  of  a  wound  Jtr, 

O'er  Darby's  whole  car  cafe  is  found  Jtr  ; 

He  doesn't  know  fear — 

But  he  never  could  bear, 
To  dirty  good  cloaths  on  the  ground  Jtr. 

CHORUS  of  Villagers. 

Now  Darby  we're  glad  to  fee  you, 
Good  wi/bes  have  ever  been  wf  you. 

Now  where  have  you  been  ? 

And  what  have  you  feen  ? 
Iprythee  good  fellow  now  tell  us  ! 

"  DARBY. 

"  I prythee  good  people  now  Jl and  away — 

"  Make  room  I  pray  ! 

"  Hear  what  I  fay — 

"  P II  tell  you  fuch  feats, 

41  In  colds  and  tn  beats^ 
"  As  will  make  ye  all  gape  'till ye  choakjirs. 
"  Now  neighbours ftand  off;  pray  don't  crowd fo, 
••  And  what  need  ye  all  gabble  loudfo, 


DARBY'S    RETURN. 


" 

" 


"  Who  the  devil  can  fyeak, 
"  While  ye  cackle  and  \fqueak* 
"  Like  Jo  many  gee  fe  in  a  hog-Jlye. 

"  CHORUS  of  Villagers. 

"  Now  Darby  we're  glad  to  fee  you  ; 
"  Good  wi/hes  have  ever  been  w?  you; 

"  Now  where  have  you  been  $ 
And  what  have  youfeen  ? 

I  prythee  good  fellow  now  tell  us  !  " 

(Mufic  ceafes. 

DARBY,  advancing. 

Now  !  give  me  room  to  breathe  ;  there  !  ftand  away  ; 
All  form  a  ring,  and  then  we'll  fee  fair  play. 
You  — 

OLD  WOMAN. 

Darby  I'm  deaf,  and  muft  nearer  come. 

DARBY. 

If  you  would  hear  good  dame,  you  mufl  be  dumb. 

You  all  remember,  neighbours,  ah  !  too  well, 

(Tho'  faith  !  full  cheery  m  the  ftory  tell.) 

How  I  was  jilted  by  this  gypfy  here  —  (to  Kathleen. 

Never  tight  Irilh  boy  fure,  felt  fo  queer  : 

Then  Pat  muft  come  too,  with  his  "  row  de  dow,"l 

So,  for  a  gen'ral's  ftaffl  fold  my  plough,  V 

My  baldfac'd  Robin,  and  my  brindled  Cow\         J 

Then  off  to  Dublin,  joy,  I  nimbly  pack, 

And  there  I  play'd  a  game  at  paddy  whack  : 

Oh,  to  be  fure,  I  didn't  flafh  at  all  ! 

I  did'nt  dance  a  little  at  the  ball  ! 

But  having  fpent  my  cafh—  -for  cam  will  go! 

FATHER 


8          D  A  R  B  Y's     RETURN. 

FATHER  LUKE. 
Ah,  Darby  !  that's  a  truth  we  all  well  know ! 

DARBY, 

Sure  I  refolv'd  for  London  ;*  aye  my  boys ! 
When  I  took  leave  we  made  a  glorious  noife  ! 

OLD  WOMAN*. 
Good  fouls !  fhed  tears  fo,  ha  ? 

DARBY. 

Tears,  mother  !  no, 

We  nothing  fhed  but  whifky  : — Off  I  go  ! 
Pop  board  a  fliip — fuddled — miftook  my  way  \ 
And  when  I  come  to  rub  my  eyes  next  day, 
Was  on  my  way  to  Dantzick  :  Silly  loon  ! — 

OLD  WOMAN. 
Poor  Darby!  taken  feajick  too,  fofoon! 

CLOWN. 
Oh,  Darby,  did  you  ever  fee  a  whale? 

DERMOT. 
Hufh,  neighbours,  hufh,,  let  Darby  tell  his  tale. 

DARBY. 

Well,  fee  me  landed ;  fure,  without  a  farthing, 
So,  Pruffian  hero  turn'd,  to  keep  from  ftarving ; 
Drill'd,  drub'd  and  bailed,  curft  andkick't  and  rifted, 
My  nice  fhock  golden  hair,  black't,  greas'd  &•  twifted ; 
I'm  fure  1  wonder  how  it  ever  come 
To  bring  its  own  dear  carrot-colour  home  ; 

So 


DARBY'S    RETURN.          9 

So  clofefcrcw'd  up, — fuTe,Dermot,  you  would  think, 
My  fkin  like  drum-head  tight : — I  couldn't  wink  ; 
Loaded  with  belts  and  buckles  at  all  points* 
We  mov'd  like  wooden  men  with  iron  joints. 
— —But  merit  can't  be  hid  : — I  foon  was  rais'd. 

OLD  WOMAN. 
Aye,  aye,  I  warrant,  goodnefs  now  be  prais'd  ! 

FATHER  LUKE. 
What,  to  a  Halbert  ?  Thirteen-pence  a  day  ? 

DARBY. 

No,  to  three  halberts ;— cat-o  -nine-tail  pay  : 
There  I  was  fav'd  by  little  Captain  Pat, 
And  where  d'ye  think  I  went  to  after  that  ? 
To  Auftria,  my  lads  !  and  there  I  fwagger'd, 
Strutted  &  puff'd,  look'd  big,  drank  hard  &  flagger'd. 
While  my  great  matter,  doing  much  the  fame, 
Bully'd  the  Dutchman — thus  we  play'd  the  game  ; 
Till  the  curft  Turks,  thofe  whilker'd,  fabred  dogs, 
Men-eating  Hannibals,  with  hearts  like  logs, 
Made  war  upon  us ;  then  I  thought  'twas  beft, 
To  feek  an  army  that  was  more  at  reft ; 
Not  that  I  minded  fighting  :  Not  a  button  ! 
(For  fome  may  think  I  meant  to  fave  my  mutton  :) 
No,  no  ! — But  being  taught  by  Father  Luke> 
That  Turks  are  heretics,  I  wifely  took 
Precautions  not  to  have  my  morals  hurt, 
By  any  intercourfe  with  fuch  vile  dirt  : 
So  finding  this  was  not  the  place  for  me, 
Once  more,  good  neighbours,  I  embark'd  for  fea. 

KATHLEEN. 

Alas  !  what  hardfhips  'twas  your  lot  to  prove. 

DARBY. 


io          D  A  R  B  Y's    RETURN. 

DARBY. 

Yes,  Kathleen,  yes !  and  all  for  fake  of  love. 
Now  on  the  waves  again,  with  fwelling  fail — 

CLOWN. 
Do  Darby  tell  me  ! — Did  you  fee  a  whale  ? 

DARBY. 

Whales !  Aye,  yes — thick  as  hops — fmce  you  mufl 

know. 
Dancing  Scotch  reels — two  thoufand  ftrong  or  fo. 

CLOWN, 
Oh  marcy  ! 

OLD  WOMAN. 
Gooddy  ! 

CLOWN. 
Odds  bobs  fningers. 

OLD  WOMAN, 

Oh! 
DARBY. 

Well  neighbours,  now  by  deftinies  and  fates, 
See  me  fafe  landed  in  the  United  States  ; 
And  now  I'm  at  the  beft  part  of  my  (lory, 
For  there  poor  Darby  was  in  all  his  glory  ; 
From  north  to  fouth,  where  ever  I  appear'd, 
With  deeds  and  words,  my  fpirits  oft  they  cheer' d ; 
But  more  efpecially  I  lik'd  to  work, 
At  one  nice  little  place  they  call'd  New- York  ; 
Oh  !  there  they  lov'd  me  dearly,  never  fear 

But 


D  A  R  B  Y's    RETURN.          n 

But  Darby  loves  them  too,  with  heart  fincere. 
There  too  I  faw  fome  mighty  pretty  fhows  ; 
A  revolution  without  blood  or  blows  ; 
For  as  I  underflood  the  cunning  elves, 
The  people  all  revolted  from  themfelves  ; 
Then  after  joining  in  a  kind  confeffion, 
They  all  agreed  to  walk  in  a  proceffion  ; 
So  turners,  taylors,  tinkers,  tavern-keepers, 
With     parfons,    blackfmiths,    lawyers,    chimney 

fweepers, 

All  neatly  drefs'd,  and  all  in  order  fair, 
Nice  painted  ftandards,  waving  in  the  air, 
March'd  thro'  the  town — eat  beef — and  drank 

ftrong  beer. 

Soon  after  that  I  faw  another  fhow, 
A  man  who'd  fought  to  free  the  land  from  woe, 
Like  me  had  left  his  farm  a  Joldiering  to  go 
But  having  gain'd  his  point,  he  had,  like  me, 
Return'd  his  own  potatoe  g round  to  fee ; 
But  there  he  coldn't  reft  ; — with  one  accord 

He's  call'd  to  be  a  kind  of ,  not  a  Lord — — 

I  don't  know  what — he's  rot  a  great  man,  fure, 
For  poor  men  love  him,  juft  as  he  was  poor  ! 
They  love  him  like  a  father  or  a  brother. 

DERMOT. 
As  we  poor  Irr/hmen  love  one  another. 

DARBY. 
Juft  fo. 

FATHER  LUKE. 
Why  that's  the  ftrangeft  fight  of  all. 

KATHLEEN. 

I4A 


12          D  A  R  B  Y's    RETURN. 

KATHLEEN. 
How  look'd  he  Darby  ?  Was  he  fhort  or  tall  ? 

DARBY. 

Why  fare  I  didn't  fee  him  :  to  be  fure, 
As  1  was  looking  hard  from  out  the  door, 

I  faw  a  man  in  regimentals  fine, 

All  lace  and  glitter,  bother'um  and  fhine  j 
And  fo  I  look'd  at  him,  till  all  was  gone, 
And  then,  I  found  that  he  was  not  the  one. 

II  By  this  time,  boys,  I  wanted  to  get  home; 

"  1  thought  you  would  be  glad  to  fee  me  come  ; 

44  So,  as  I've  often  heard  the  people  fay, 

44  The  fartheft  round  is  much  the  fhorteft  way, 

*'  I  went  to  France.     I  always  did  love  quiet, 

«4  And  there  I  got  in  the  middle  of  a  riot. 

"  There  they  cried  "  vive  la  nation"  "liberty" 

**  And  all  the  bag  and  tails  fwore  they'd  be  free  ; 

44  They  caught  the  fire  quite  acrofs  the  ocean, 

"  And  to  be  fure,  they're  in  a  nice  commotion  : 

"  (Down  with  the  baftile — tuck  up  the  jailor, 

44  Cut  off  my  lor's  head,  then  pay  his  taylor.) 

"  Oh  blefs  their  hearts,  if  they  can  but  get  free, 

"  They'll  foon  be  as  fat  and  as  jolly  as  we ; 

v  Some  took  the  liberty  to  plunder  others, 

"  Becaufe  equality  is  more  like  brothers. 

"  You  may  be  fure  I  didn't  flay  there  long. 

44  So  here  I  am  boys,  .hearty  hale  and  flrong  I" 

But  oh,  New- York's  the  place  to  get  a  wife, 

Aye,  that's  the  place  to  lead  a  merry  life. 

FATHER  LUKE. 
Why  Darby,  boy,  why  didn't  you  flay  there  ? 

DARBY. 


D  A  R  B  Y's     RETURN.  13 

DARBY. 

Becaufe  I  wifh'd  to  pay  a  vifit  here  ; 

To  fee  how  all  the  Carton  lafles  thrive, 

And  alk  ye,  fure,  if  ye  are  all  alive. 

But  I'll  go  back  again,  oh  never  fear ! 

I'll  not  be  after  leaving  them,  my  dear: 

You  will  not  catch  me  flaying  a  great  while, 

From  where  I'm  never  feen  without  a  fmile. 

Oh  may  their  little  country  ever  prove, 

The  land  of  liberty  and  feat  of  love. 

Oh  blefs  their  little  hearts,  and  all  they've  got, 

And  may  they  foon  have  all  that  they  have  not. 

CLOWN. 

Well,  Darby,  but  did  you  fee  nothing  more  ? 
Didfl  fee  no  Indians  ? 

DARBT. 

Indians  ? — By  the  fcore. 

I  faw  balloons  too,  and  I  learn'd  a  fong  ; 

I'll  fing  it  t'ye — it  isn't  very  long. 

AIR — "  The  Taylor  done  over." 

I. 

We  had  a  'balloon  there,  as  big  as  a  church  Jirs, 
And  'when  it  'went  off  we  'were  left  in  the  lurch  jirs  ; 
For  while  we  were  watching,  like Jportfmenf or  plover, 
Tbe  linen  took  fire — and  did  us  all  over. 

Over,  over,  oh  ! 

II. 

Oh  when  we  look'd  up  and  faw  nothing  but f moke  firs; 
We  all  of  us  laugh 'd; — tho' none  found  out  the  joke  firs, 


14          DARBY's    RETURN. 

'Then  all  in  a  flock*  like  before-mentioned  plover, 
We  freak"  d  into  town  j  —  very  fairly  done  over. 

Over,  over,  oh! 


Tbu.s  Darby  bis  travels,  has  briefly  related, 
And  all  his  adventures,  in  due  order  flated  : 
And  as  be  basprov'd,  that  of  trutb  be*  s  a  lover, 
He  bopes  the  pit  critics  —  will  not  do  him  over. 

Over,  over,  oh  ! 


He  looks  to  tbe  boxes,  in  bopes  to  flnd  favour, 
He's  a  tight  Irifo  boy  —  tbd*  of  clownijb  bebavioitr  ; 
Let  tbe  ladies  remember,  love  made  him  a  rover, 
And  tbey  can't  bave  tbe  heart,  fure  —  to  doDarby  over. 

Over,  over,  oh  ! 

V. 

Tou  jolly  round  faces,  poor  Darby's  long  lov'd  you, 

(to  the  gallery. 

Tour  applaufe  be  may  hope,Jince  be  often  hasprov'dyou: 
May  you  ne'er  want  for  fun,  while  you!  re  here  under 

cover, 
And  the  flddlesflill  play  you  —  tbe  Taylor  done  over. 

Over,  over,  oh  ! 
VI. 

Tour  healths  will  be  drink,  in  a  cup  of  brown  nappy, 

(all  around. 

May  tbe  Jingle  be  married,  tbe  married  be  happy: 
And  as  gratitude  many  great  failings  may  .cover, 
Darby's  heart  Jball  be  grateful—  till  death  does  him 
over. 

Over,  over,  oh  ! 
THE        END. 


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14  DAY  USE 

RETURN  TO  DESK  FROM  WHICH  BORROWED 

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